NATUROPA Number 25 E U Ro P E a N

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

NATUROPA Number 25 E U Ro P E a N OF EUROPE NATUROPA Number 25 e u ro p e a n information EDITORIAL K. Roma 1 c e n tre THE PURPOSE SERVED BY CONFERENCES for OF SPECIALIST MINISTERS H. Hacourt 2 n atu re conservation THE PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE - AN ABSOLUTE NECESSITY W. Zeller 4 THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS OF EUROPE AND K. POMA I find them especially pertinent and protected areas, enjoying different THEIR ECOLOGICAL AND HUMAN POTENTIAL - Secretary of State for the Environment, constructive and because they fit so degrees of protection depending on AS EXEMPLIFIED BY THE ALPS j. Billet 8 Belgium neatly into the framework of the their function and aims, give ample Council of Europe’s characteristic proof of the importance attached, at The second European Ministerial activities. the international level, to this essen­ TOWARDS THE SETTING UP OF A EUROPEAN Conference on the Environment was tial aspect of the conservation of the held in Brussels on 23 and 24 March Following the widespread realisation natural heritage. p. Baum NETWORK OF BIOGENETIC RESERVES 11 1976, and it was my privilege to take that many environmental problems the Chair on that occasion, which could be solved only through closely In this connection it is encouraging BIOGENETIC RESERVES offered a fresh opportunity to re­concerted international and even to observe that during the course of view the progress being made on worldwide action, there has been no the Conference itself three countries IN THE NETHERLANDS J. P. Doets 16 environment questions throughout want of effort resulting in a series ofmade a real contribution by designat­ Europe and, above all, to get a clear more or less specialised international ing protected areas in their terri­ idea of what priority the governments conventions. All of them apply totories; these are to form part of a NORTHEAST SVALBARD represented at the Conference were some particular aspect of the natural network of biogenetic reserves and NATURE RESERVE T. Larsen 22 prepared to give to the defence of environment, but there is some over­ thus come into the larger context of the natural environment, i.e. the pro­lapping in their application and their the world network of biosphere tection of flora and fauna, an ever- complexity is often such as to cause reserves sponsored by Unesco. THE ITALIAN CONTRIBUTION TO THE diminishing and increasingly en­ a substantial delay in putting them COUNCIL OF EUROPE NETWORK dangered countryside. into practice. I would not contest Lastly, all these efforts to protect the their merits or the need for them, but natural heritage might accomplish OF BIOGENETIC RESERVES M.Pavan 24 Some commentators expressed sur­ I am compelled to observe that the little enough if they were not sup­ prise and even regret that in the countries which have enacted ad­ ported by a coherent system of in­ difficult economic period we are equate legal instruments enabling formation and education reaching the EUROPEAN now traversing (although economic them to accede to and ratify these largest possible audience. A genuine activity is already showing signs of HEDGEROW LANDSCAPES F. Terrassen 27 conventions without reservations arethirst for knowledge about, coupled an upturn), emphasis should again few and far between. with a keen interest in everything be placed on measures for the pres­ connected with nature and its pro­ ervation of the natural environment.This is why the resolution on the tection has been observed in the The symbol for the Council of Europe’s protection of wildlife has instructed public, and is growing stronger with nature conservation activities. But surely it was just the moment, the appropriate Council of Europe passing time. It cannot be said often when everyone was looking for new body to prepare a legal instrument enough than an enormous amount courses to follow, when so many on the conservation of wild-life and remains to be done in this field which seemingly sure values were being natural habitats in Europe which has too long been left untouched by vehemently disputed, to concentrate “ Naturopa ” is published in English, in would obviate the difficulties encoun­ the overcrowded primary and sec­ more intensely than ever before on French, in German and in Italian by the tered in the implementation of exist­ ondary curricula. European Information Centre for Nature the preparation of guidelines for aing conventions. Special attention and Conservation of the Council of Europe, precautionary ecological policy. encouragement should be accorded In this respect, a body such as the 67006 Strasbourg Cedex, France. Should not the present difficulties to comprehensive protective measures European Information Centre for Na­ really encourage us to look harder for all migratory, threatened and en­ ture Conservation, which publishes Editor responsible : Jean-Pierre Ribaut at past errors, from which we can demic species and their habitats, the periodical Naturopa, has an es­ certainly learn the most valuable Editor : Gillian Holdup through the creation of particularly sential role to play. lessons? representative reserves and the en­ Printed by : Mörstadt, Kehl, FRG It was therefore most heartening to forcement of joint conservation I should like to take this opportunity see that the Council of Europe, act­ measures designed to eliminate the to congratulate the European Infor­ Articles may be reprinted providing a ref­ PHOTOGRAPHS ing on the judicious recommen­ causes of their scarcity. mation Centre on the excellent work erence is made to the source and a copy dations of the European Committee it has been doing, with the help of sent to the Centre. The copyright of all Cover: C. Sommer/EXPLORER for the Conservation of Nature and Here is a second point which compels national agencies, for nearly ten photographs is reserved. Natural Resources and guided by a attention: I have already mentioned years now, despite its meagre re­ the important role played by parks sources. It is my most fervent wish Information concerning “ Naturopa ” or the Page 3: Rheinische Braunkohlenwerke AG Köln, Informationsabteilung/Scheu- determination to ensure the conti­ and nature reserves, which are that it may be strengthened at every European Information Centre for Nature ren. Page 4: Summ/JACANA. Page 5: Summ/JACANA; Visage/JACANA; Schramll nuity of the work put in hand at the rightly regarded as genuine instru­ level, so that it can intensify its efforts Conservation may be obtained on appli­ JACANA. Page 6: P. Baum. Page 8: Bertrand/EXPLORER (2); Gazuit/EXPLO- previous Conference (Vienna, 1973), cation to the appropriate National Agency had understood the need for this form ments for the planning of the natural on behalf of nature conservation; for (see addresses inside back cover) or to RER; G. HallolJACANA. Page 10: Bertrand/EXPLORER; Gazuit/EXPLORER. of action when drawing up the environment and natural resources. in this field it is unique, both in the the Centre itself. Page 13: P. Baum. Page 14: J. Billet (2); Strobino/JACANA; Claude Carré/ agenda for the second Conference. Council of Europe and among other JACANA; Pillods/EXPLORER; Ph. Robert/JACANA; P. Baum (3); P. Lorne/EX- The interest shown in the prepara­ international organisations. The im­ The opinions expressed in this publi­ From the many documents, reports tion of inventories of natural habitats, portance of the specific mission of PLORER; Visage/JACANA; C. Delu/EXPLORER. Page 17: KLM Aerocarto bv; cation are those of the authors and do not and conclusions of the Conference Iresearch into the carrying capacity the European Centre must be appar­ necessarily reflect the views of the Coun­ Jan van de Kam. Pages 18 and 20: Jan van de Kam. Pages 21 and 22: Thor have chosen three points appearing of natural areas subject to rec­ent to all, as was indeed confirmed cil of Europe. Larsen. Pages 24, 25 and 26: Mario Pavan. Page 29: F. Terrasson. Page 30: in the recommendations and will con­reational pressure, and the institution by the conclusions of the Brussels Gazuit/EXPLORER. fine my comments to them, because in every country of a network ofConference. The Purpose Served by Conferences of Specialist Ministers Hector HACOURT, Agronomist, Principal Administrative Officer, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Council of Europe There are at present 9 conferences the definition of the concrete ob­ should be able to meet and state of specialist ministers*, for which jectives of the intergovernmental their views, describe experiments con­ secretarial services are provided by activities undertaken within the ducted under their direction and en­ the Council of Europe Secretariat. Council of Europe in the various deavour to find a common denomi­ The task of preparing these confer­ sectors of its Work Programme. nator, for only in this way will it be ences is normally assigned to com­ possible to harmonise national legis­ mittees of senior officials set up for We shall examine this dual function lation on a European scale and co­ the purpose, or to committees of and, with Naturopa readers in mind, ordinate the administrative measures experts working within the Council. consider objectively whether the Min­ to be applied at national and regional The ministerial conferences, which isterial Conference on the Environ­ level. are held at the invitation of the ment, which has already met on government of a member state, enjoy 2 occasions, has fulfilled the aims Conferences of specialist ministers a certain degree of autonomy, the assigned to conferences of special­ are and should remain, for top-level specialist ministers being free to ist ministers. officials, a forum in which to define choose the conference agenda; once the main lines of a common European preparations have reached a suf­ FACILITATING CONTACTS BETWEEN policy designed to serve as a guide ficiently advanced stage, however, MEMBERS OF GOVERNMENTS for the conduct of national affairs. the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe discusses the draft The problems of contemporary society agenda and any other aspect of the are becoming increasingly complex PROVIDING ELEMENTS WHICH MAY organisation of such conferences, in and difficult to solve.
Recommended publications
  • Satellite Ice Extent, Sea Surface Temperature, and Atmospheric 2 Methane Trends in the Barents and Kara Seas
    The Cryosphere Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/tc-2018-237 Manuscript under review for journal The Cryosphere Discussion started: 22 November 2018 c Author(s) 2018. CC BY 4.0 License. 1 Satellite ice extent, sea surface temperature, and atmospheric 2 methane trends in the Barents and Kara Seas 1 2 3 2 4 3 Ira Leifer , F. Robert Chen , Thomas McClimans , Frank Muller Karger , Leonid Yurganov 1 4 Bubbleology Research International, Inc., Solvang, CA, USA 2 5 University of Southern Florida, USA 3 6 SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, Norway 4 7 University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA 8 Correspondence to: Ira Leifer ([email protected]) 9 10 Abstract. Over a decade (2003-2015) of satellite data of sea-ice extent, sea surface temperature (SST), and methane 11 (CH4) concentrations in lower troposphere over 10 focus areas within the Barents and Kara Seas (BKS) were 12 analyzed for anomalies and trends relative to the Barents Sea. Large positive CH4 anomalies were discovered around 13 Franz Josef Land (FJL) and offshore west Novaya Zemlya in early fall. Far smaller CH4 enhancement was found 14 around Svalbard, downstream and north of known seabed seepage. SST increased in all focus areas at rates from 15 0.0018 to 0.15 °C yr-1, CH4 growth spanned 3.06 to 3.49 ppb yr-1. 16 The strongest SST increase was observed each year in the southeast Barents Sea in June due to strengthening of 17 the warm Murman Current (MC), and in the south Kara Sea in September. The southeast Barents Sea, the south 18 Kara Sea and coastal areas around FJL exhibited the strongest CH4 growth over the observation period.
    [Show full text]
  • Your Cruise Exploring Nordaustlandet
    Exploring Nordaustlandet From 6/15/2022 From Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen Ship: LE COMMANDANT CHARCOT to 6/23/2022 to Longyearbyen, Spitsbergen The Far North and the expanse of the Arctic polar world and its sea ice stretching all the way to the North Pole are yours to admire during an all-new 9-day exploratory cruise. With Ponant, discover theseremote territories from the North of Spitsbergen to Nordaustlandet, a region inaccessible to traditional cruise ships at this time of year. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration ship, you will cross the magnificent landscapes ofKongsfjorden , then the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park. You will then sail east to try to reach the shores of the Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. This total immersion in the polar desert in search of the sea ice offers the promise of an unforgettable adventure. You will admire Europe’s largest ice cap and the impressive fjords that punctuate this icy landscape. You are entering the kingdom of the polar bear and will FLIGHT PARIS/LONGYEARBYEN + TRANSFERS + FLIGHT LONGYEARBYEN/PARIS perhaps be lucky enough to spot a mother teaching her cub the secrets of hunting and survival. Your exploration amidst these remote lands continues to the east. Le Commandant Charcot will attempt to reach the easternmost island of the Svalbard archipelago, Kvitoya – the white island –, as its name indicates, entirely covered by the ice cap and overrun by walruses. The crossing of the Hinlopen Strait guarantees an exceptional panorama. Its basalt islets and its majestic glaciers hide a rich marine ecosystem: seabird colonies, walruses, polar bears and Arctic foxes come to feed here.
    [Show full text]
  • Gerland Et Al
    Regional sea ice outlook for Greenland Sea and Barents Sea - based on data until the end of May 2010 Sebastian Gerland 1, Harvey Goodwin 1, and Nick Hughes 2 1: Norwegian Polar Institute, 9296 Tromsø, Norway (E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]) 2: Norwegian Ice Service, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, 9293 Tromsø (E-mail: [email protected]) The monthly mean sea ice extent for May 2010 based on Norwegian ice charts produced primarily from passive microwave satellite data, supplemented with high resolution SAR imagery from 2007, is compared with the corresponding monthly mean for May for the previous years 2007-09 (Fig. 1), and with 30, 20, and 10 year averages for monthly means for the periods 79-08, 80-99 and 99-08 (Fig. 2). The sea ice systems in the Greenland Sea and Barents Sea are substantially different. Sea ice in the Greenland Sea is (see e.g. Vinje et al. 1998) dominated by ice drifting with the transpolar drift and the East Greenland current out of the Arctic Basin southwards, whereas sea ice in the Barents Sea (see e.g. Vinje and Kvambekk 1991) consists to a high degree of seasonal ice formed in the same area during the past winter. In the Greenland Sea ice extent in May for 2010 was slightly larger in the southwest and smaller in the northeast, compared with previous years 2007-2009 (Fig. 1). In the southwest, the extent appears roughly similar for May 2010 compared with all May means calculated for 10-30 year periods (Fig. 2). However, in the northeast (northwest of Spitsbergen), the ice edge for May 2010 is located further north than ice extent for the previous three years and for all monthly averages (10 to 30 year means).
    [Show full text]
  • Mailer-CRUISE DIRECT VERSION.Indd
    WONDERS OF THE FROZEN CONTINENTS Arctic Animals Tips for your polar adventure Keep your eye out for some of the amazing animals you will Be adventurous and live in the moment. You will have so many fi nd in the Arctic. Check them off your list: new experiences and see incredible beauty. Walrus • Beluga Whale • Arctic Fox • Harp Seal • Polar Bear Canada Lynx • Snowshoe Hare • Caribou • Sea Otter • Grizzly Bear Embrace living “off the grid” Dale Sheep • Arctic Orca • Bald Eagle • Puffi n • Muskox • Snowy Unplug and get back to nature. Be prepared for no phone or Owl • Moose • Arctic Tern • Bowhead Whale and Narwhal. internet service. And in the Antarctic, you will fi nd: Protect yourself from the sun Antarctic Leopard • crabeater • Weddell and southern elephant It can be strong and reflects of the snow and ice. Pack lip seals • humpback • orca, blue and killer whales • penguins protection, sun screen and good sunglasses. Bring your camera! and albatross There’s so many amazing opportunities for some of the best photos of your life. Pack extra batteries, chargers and memory *Wildlife differs determined by itinerary. cards. Arctic Weather Be fl exible The average Arctic winter temperature is -34°C, while the Polar regions can be unpredictable. While your itinerary may average Arctic summer temperature is 3-12° C. In general, not always be on schedule, your guides will have back up plans Arctic winters are long and cold while summers are short so you will not miss out. Remember this is one of the most and cool. unique trips you will ever do; every trip is different and your experience will be individual.
    [Show full text]
  • Polar Immersion in Svalbard with Ponant
    POLAR IMMERSION IN SVALBARD WITH PONANT The Far North and the expanse of the Arctic polar world and its sea ice stretching all the way to the North Pole are yours to admire during an all-new 11-day exploratory cruise. With Ponant, discover these remote territories from Svalbard to Nordaustlandet, a region inaccessible to traditional cruise ships at this time of year. Aboard Le Commandant Charcot, the first hybrid electric polar exploration ship, you will cross the magnificent landscapes of Kongsfjorden, then the Nordvest-Spitsbergen National Park. You will then sail east to try to reach the shores of the Nordaust-Svalbard Nature Reserve. This total immersion in the polar desert in search of the sea ice offers the promise of an unforgettable adventure. You will admire Europe’s largest ice cap and the impressive fjords that punctuate this icy landscape. You are entering the kingdom of the polar bear and will perhaps survival. be lucky enough to spot a mother teaching her cub the secrets of hunting and Your exploration amidst these remote lands continues to the east. Le Commandant Charcot will attempt to reach the easternmost island of the Svalbard archipelago, Kvitoya – the white island –, as its name indicates, entirely covered by the ice cap and overrun by walruses. The navigation in the Hinlopen Strait guarantees an exceptional panorama. Its basalt islets and its majestic glaciers hide a rich marine ecosystem: seabird colonies, walruses, polar bears and Arctic foxes come to feed here. 01432 507 280 (within UK) [email protected] | small-cruise-ships.com Your adventure in the Arctic world continues with the discovery you with its landscapes and with the numerous vestiges that of the Søraust-Svalbard Nature Reserve.
    [Show full text]
  • Download Itinerary
    EXPLORING NORDAUSTLANDET TRIP CODE ACPOEN DEPARTURE 15/06/2022 DURATION INTRODUCTION 9 Days LOCATIONS Experience total immersion in the polar desert on this unforgettable expedition to the far north. This 9 day expedition cruise will take you to the remarkable sites of North Spitsbergen Spitsbergen and Nordaustlandet. This region is generally inaccessible to tradition cruise ships, however, Le Commondant Charcot is a unique hybrid powered expedition vessel purposely built to navigate through the expansive sea ice. Starting in the Nordaust- Svalbard Nature Reserve, this land is complete with ice caps, fjords and cliffs which are home to large colonies of birds and resting walrus. You may even have the opportunity to spot a polar bear or the elusive Arctic Fox that prowl the area. Your exploration among the remote islands will continue as you attempt to reach Kvitoya. The easternmost island of the Svalbard archipelago, this island is known as the 'white island,' owing to its name, this island is completely covered by the ice cap and home to a large number of walrus. Before your return to Longyearbyen you will sail through the remarkable Isfjorden. One of the most imposing fjords in all Svalbard, this area is famously known for sheltering a number of whale species which you may have the pleasure of spotting. ITINERARY DAY 1: Fly Paris to Longyearbyen Your cruise package will begin with a flight from Paris to Longyearbyen, Norway. Please note the flight duration is approximately 4 and a half hours. (We highly recommend you arrive in Paris the night before the flight.) Longyearbyen is the capital of the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago, located on Svalbard’s main island, and is the northernmost territorial capital on the planet.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Svalbard Explorer
    Northern Svalbard Explorer 30 August – 9 September 2019 | Polar Pioneer About Us Aurora Expeditions embodies the spirit of adventure, travelling to some of the most wild and adventure and discovery. Our highly experienced expedition team of naturalists, historians and remote places on our planet. With over 27 years’ experience, our small group voyages allow for destination specialists are passionate and knowledgeable – they are the secret to a fulfilling a truly intimate experience with nature. and successful voyage. Our expeditions push the boundaries with flexible and innovative itineraries, exciting wildlife Whilst we are dedicated to providing a ‘trip of a lifetime’, we are also deeply committed to experiences and fascinating lectures. You’ll share your adventure with a group of like-minded education and preservation of the environment. Our aim is to travel respectfully, creating souls in a relaxed, casual atmosphere while making the most of every opportunity for lifelong ambassadors for the protection of our destinations. DAY 1 | Friday, 30 August 2019 Longyearbyen Position: 22:00 hours Course: 1267° Wind Speed: Near calm Air Temp: 8°C Latitude: 78° 08’ N Speed: 11.9 knots Barometer: 1002.6 hPa & falling Sea Temp: 4°C Longitude: 13° 06’ E Low cloud and a gunmetal sky greeted those of us who flew in to Longyearbyen on 30 August. many needed directions, as 30 of our 54 passengers have travelled with Aurora Expeditions With Autumn upon us, the surround of hillsides was awash with golds and rusts from tundra before (how nice to have you back again ) vegetation turning with the Fall. Indeed, as we head out on new adventures, we can expect Expedition Leader Christian Genillard brought us together in the bar to talk about our plans the pointy mountains, for which Spitsbergen is named, to be crisp with new dustings of snow.
    [Show full text]
  • Glacial History of the Åsgardfonna Ice Cap, NE Spitsbergen, Since the Last Glaciation
    Bates College SCARAB All Faculty Scholarship Departments and Programs 1-1-2021 Glacial history of the Åsgardfonna Ice Cap, NE Spitsbergen, since the last glaciation Lis Allaart UiT The Arctic University of Norway Anders Schomacker UiT The Arctic University of Norway Nicolaj K. Larsen Københavns Universitet Egon Nørmark Aarhus Universitet Tom Arne Rydningen UiT The Arctic University of Norway See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://scarab.bates.edu/faculty_publications Recommended Citation Allaart, L. Schomacker, A. et al. (2020) Glacial history of the Åsgardfonna Ice Cap, NE Spitsbergen, since the last glaciation. Quaternary Science Reviews. 251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2020.106717 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Departments and Programs at SCARAB. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Faculty Scholarship by an authorized administrator of SCARAB. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Lis Allaart, Anders Schomacker, Nicolaj K. Larsen, Egon Nørmark, Tom Arne Rydningen, Wesley R. Farnsworth, Michael Retelle, Skafti Brynjólfsson, Matthias Forwick, and Sofia E. Kjellman This article is available at SCARAB: https://scarab.bates.edu/faculty_publications/206 Quaternary Science Reviews 251 (2021) 106717 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Quaternary Science Reviews journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/quascirev Glacial history of the Åsgardfonna Ice Cap, NE Spitsbergen, since the last glaciation * Lis Allaart a, b, , Anders Schomacker a, Nicolaj K. Larsen c, Egon Nørmark d, Tom Arne Rydningen a, Wesley R. Farnsworth e, Michael Retelle b, f, Skafti Brynjolfsson g, Matthias Forwick a,Sofia E. Kjellman a a Department of Geosciences, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, Postboks 6050 Langnes, Tromsø, N-9037, Norway b Department of Arctic Geology, The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), P.O.
    [Show full text]
  • Michael Frank William Holland
    NORSK POLARINSTITUTT SKRIFTER NR. 122 MICHAEL FRANK WILLIAM HOLLAND THE GEOLOGY OF CERTAIN PARTS OF EASTERN SPITSBERGEN NORS K POLAR I N STITUTT OSLO 1961 DET KONGELIGE DEPARTEMENT FOR INDUSTRI OG HANDVERK NO RSK POLARI NSTITUTT Observatoriegt. 1, Oslo, Norway Short account of the publications of Norsk Polarinstitutt. The two series published by Norsk Polarinstitutt,SKRIFTERand MEDDELELSER, were taken over from the former institution, Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-unders0kel­ ser (NSIU), which was incorporated in Norsk Polarinstitutt, when this was founded in 1948. A third series, Norsk Polarinstitutt -ARBOK, will be published with one volum per year. The first volume will soon appear. SKRIFTER includes scientific papers, published in English, French or German. MEDDELELSER comprises shorter papers, often being reprints from other journals. They are generally in a more popular scale and are mostly published in Norwegian. SKRIFTER has in the past been published under various titles: Nos. 1-11. Resultater av De norske statsunderst0ttede Spitsbergen-ekspe­ disjoner. No. 12. Skrifter om Svalbard og Nordishavet. Nos. 13-81. Skrifter om Svalbard og Ishavet. 82-89. Norges Svalbard- og Ishavs-unders0kelser. Skrifter. 90- . Norsk Polarinstitutt. Skrifter. Further Norsk Polarinstitutt also publishes a special series: NORWEGIAN­ BRITISH-SWEDISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION, 1949-52. SCIENTIFIC RESULTS. This series will consist of 6 vols. By now 20 papers are published, and the series will probably be completed within 1963. Topographical and hydrographical surveying also plays an important part of the work done by Norsk Polarinstitutt. A list of the published maps and charts is found on the back page of SKRIFTER. A complete list of publications (including maps and charts) is enclosed in S KRI FTER No.
    [Show full text]
  • RESEARCH in SVALBARD 2004 a Yearly Information Bulletin Based on Contributions from Scientists Working in Svalbard
    RESEARCH IN SVALBARD 2004 A yearly information bulletin based on contributions from scientists working in Svalbard Svalbard Science Forum Longyearbyen 2004 © The Research Council of Norway Title: Research in Svalbard 2004 Editor: Kjell Tore Hansen, Svalbard Science Forum, Longyearbyen Are Bjørdal, Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø ISBN: 82-12-01972-1 Order additional copies from: Svalbard Science Forum P.O.Box 506 N-9171 Longyearbyen Norway Tlf: (+47)79022616 Fax: (+47)79022604 E-mail: [email protected] You will be able to view and print the bulletin from: http://www.npolar.no/ris 2 Table of contents Introduction 6 SomeStatistics 7 ProjectReportsforBiology 11 "Digestibility of ice algae and phytoplankton: The potential impacts of changing food supply to the arctic benthos" (Marine Ecology) 11 "On Thin Ice? Climatic Influence on Energy Flow and Trophic Structure in Arctic Marine Ecosystems" (Marine Ecology) 13 Environmental effects of offshore oil activities: Experimental tests of petroleum-associated components on benthos at community, individual, and cellular levels (EXPAC) (Marine Ecology) 15 Description of parameters of the population dynamics of polar bivalve communities, first year: growth and reproductive cycle of the dominant Greenland cockles (Serripes groenlandicus) (Benthology) 17 Food in the Arctic pelagic system, its role in the diet of filter feeders, and fertilisation by exu- dates: an experiment in situ (Benthology) 19 Succession of benthic communities in polar environments: Benthic resilience in polar environments: a comparison
    [Show full text]
  • 1588375 B932.Pdf
    UNIVERSITY OF GOTHENBURG Department of Earth Sciences Geovetarcentrum/Earth Science Centre Characterizing provenances of glacial sediments in northeastern Svalbard using in-situ Rb-Sr systematics Filip Johansson ISSN 1400-3821 B932 Master of Science (120 credits) thesis Göteborg 2016 Mailing address Address Telephone Telefax Geovetarcentrum Geovetarcentrum Geovetarcentrum 031-786 19 56 031-786 19 86 Göteborg University S 405 30 Göteborg Guldhedsgatan 5A S-405 30 Göteborg SWEDEN Abstract 2 1. Introduction 3 2. Background 5 2.0. Glacial history of Svalbard 5 2.1. Bedrock geology of Svalbard 9 2.2. Rb-Sr systematics 17 3. Method 19 3.1. Laboratory work 19 3.2. ICP-MS procedures 19 3.3. Calculations 20 4. Results 21 4.1. SEM– backscattered electron images 21 4.2. Geochronology 28 4.4. Initial-87Sr signatures 38 4.5. 87Rb/87Sr signatures in the Kapp Ekholm stratigraphy 40 5. Discussion 42 5.1. Geochronology 42 5.2. Provenance potentials using initial-87Sr 44 5.3. Rb-Sr provenance signatures in the Kapp Ekholm stratigraphy 46 6. Conclusions 47 7. Acknowledgements 48 8. References cited 49 Appendix A: Geological maps with sample locations 54 Appendix B: LA-ICP-MS/MS Rb-Sr data 56 1 Abstract Reconstructions of ice-sheet configurations in Svalbard inferred from geomorphological, isostatic and terrestrial exposure-dating are contradictory with regards to the structure of ice-domes and ice-flow. This identifies the need for accessing high resolution provenance data in the sedimentary archive as an additional proxy for ice-sheet reconstructions. While Sr-isotopic composition in glacial sediments has been demonstrated to reflect ice-sheet dynamics, this approach has remained relatively unexplored since technological limitations in conventional mass-spectrometry have restricted the acquisition of this data to bulk analyses.
    [Show full text]
  • Increased Ice Thinning Over Svalbard Measured by Icesat/Icesat-2 Laser Altimetry
    remote sensing Article Increased Ice Thinning over Svalbard Measured by ICESat/ICESat-2 Laser Altimetry Lukas Sochor *, Thorsten Seehaus and Matthias H. Braun Institute of Geography, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91052 Erlangen, Germany; [email protected] (T.S.); [email protected] (M.H.B.) * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +49-9131-852-3473 Abstract: A decade-long pronounced increase in temperatures in the Arctic, especially in the Barents Sea region, resulted in a global warming hotspot over Svalbard. Associated changes in the cryosphere are the consequence and lead to a demand for monitoring of the glacier changes. This study uses spaceborne laser altimetry data from the ICESat and ICESat-2 missions to obtain ice elevation and mass change rates between 2003–2008 and 2019. Elevation changes are derived at orbit crossover locations throughout the study area, and regional volume and mass changes are estimated using a hypsometric approach. A Svalbard-wide annual elevation change rate of −0.30 ± 0.15 m yr−1 was found, which corresponds to a mass loss rate of −12.40 ± 4.28 Gt yr−1. Compared to the ICESat period (2003–2009), thinning has increased over most regions, including the highest negative rates along the west coast and areas bordering the Barents Sea. The overall negative regime is expected to be linked to Arctic warming in the last decades and associated changes in glacier climatic mass balance. Further, observed increased thinning rates and pronounced changes at the eastern side of Svalbard since the ICESat period are found to correlate with atmospheric and oceanic warming in the respective regions.
    [Show full text]