Research Profiles Education/Outreach In brief Nitrogen deposition Paul Wassmann High North Academy Arctic Council Secretariat Planktonic food web Torkjel Sandanger Reindeer cooling Nansen–Amundsen Year 2011 Reindeer herders Antarctic logistics Geodetic antenna Ny-Ålesund Invasive plants Retrospective Kittiwakes Fram Centre expectations Methane release Adolf Hoel Secondary schools Fram Centre Flagships FRAM CENTRE NCoE-Tundra Norwegian-Russian cooperation Recent doctorates New books 2012 FRAM F ORUM 2 CONTENTS FRAM FORUM 2012 FRAM FORUM 2012 EDITORIAL 3 CONTENTS THE fiRST YEAR OF THE FRAM CENTRE 3 Editorial FRAM – the High North Research Centre for Climate The expectations on us are high. Speaking to journal- and the Environment, was inaugurated at the end of ists in December 2011, Norwegian Minister of Foreign 4 Letter from the Minister September 2010 and has now been up and running Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre said the Government expects 5 Picture of the year for over a year. In addition to teaching and doing the Fram Centre to be “the best”, and the results we ontact information C FRAM Forum Fram Centre N-9296 Tromsø NORWAY www.framsenteret.no [email protected] Phone: +47-7775 0200 research, the Fram Centre is charged with the task present “impossible to ignore”. To achieve that, over 6 Without the sea, where would we be... of making research findings accessible to the general 50 million NOK extra was allocated for the Centre’s 10 Nitrogen deposition in the Arctic public. Outreach is an integral part of our mission and first year, in addition to the funding to the individual we take it seriously. This journal – FRAM Forum – is member institutions. 14 The planktonic food web in arctic seas an important channel for that outreach. Here, in plain 18 Stricter EU rules on parabens language, we will present highlights from the past Fifty million Norwegian crowns is a lot of money – but year at the Fram Centre. not enough, in itself, to ensure that the Fram Centre 20 High North Academy does cutting-edge research in all five Flagship areas. 22 Push and pull among reindeer herders In compiling this first issue of FRAM Forum, the edi- This is seed money. It was not given so the Fram tors have had a delightful mix of topics from which to Centre can “do research”, but so we can build research 24 Aliens with latitude choose. But the articles we present here are mainly momentum. 28 Adolf Hoel in Norwegian polar history based on research that was initiated before the Fram Centre was established. They hint at the range of pos- The challenge now is to create fruitful multidiscipli- 30 No methane from the permafrost sibilities for the future but are the result of diligent nary research collaborations that highlight the unique 34 How reindeer keep their cool work in the past. research opportunities the Fram Centre has to offer. If we establish a reputation for being a powerhouse of 36 Polar operations in Antarctica In many ways, the Fram Centre is a reincarnation research creativity and innovation, of educational ex- 44 What happens when the forest turns black? of the Polar Environmental Centre (POMI). When cellence, where ideas flow freely between disciplines, establishing POMI back in 1998, Norway’s Ministry the Fram Centre can attract even more of the best 46 Nordic Centre of Excellence – Tundra of the Environment gathered expertise on polar research talents. Talented researchers produce excit- 50 Long term Russian–Norwegian cooperation environmental issues under one roof, intending this ing new research, and exciting research will always co-localisation of competence to foster multidiscipli- find funding – from international as well as Norwegian 54 The Arctic Council Secretariat nary thinking. The researchers at POMI created much sources. Once the ball gets rolling, the rest will take 56 Nansen–Amundsen Year 2011 new polar knowledge, some of it multidisciplinary; care of itself. over photoover ditorial committee ditorial C Stephen Hudson measuring albedo on sea ice in Fram Strait. Photo: Harvey Goodwin, Norwegian Polar Institute E Project leader: Helge M. Markusson, Outreach Coordinator, Fram Centre [email protected] // [email protected] // Institute Polar Norwegian Jenssen, Vinje Elin Linda Hamrin Nesby, University [email protected] of Tromsø // [email protected] // Research Marine Sætra, of Institute Gunnar but years passed and somewhere along the way, cross- 58 Geodetic observatory in Ny-Ålesund disciplinary contacts languished. Attaining world-class excellence is a lofty goal. It will 62 Black-legged kittiwakes and industry require years of hard work that transcends discipli- With the creation of the Fram Centre, multidisci- nary boundaries, but the Fram Centre has good pros- 64 Educational outreach plinary thinking has been revitalised. The Centre’s pects of becoming “the best”. As we move forward, we 66 Onwards and upwards Flagship programmes are designed to encourage will naturally pay attention to the path immediately collaboration between widely different fields. And ahead, but we must also remember to lift our eyes fre- 68 Fram Centre Flagship projects at the first meetings to discuss the Flagships, Fram quently and scan the horizon, or we will miss interest- 76 Recent doctorates Centre researchers showed enthusiasm, creativity ing opportunities. In striving for excellence, a narrow Layout DesignTANK AS www.tank.no Printer Lundblad Media AS Print run: 3000 copies and a sincere wish to bring together different types of perspective is the gravest danger we face. 82 New books in 2011 competence to resolve important questions about the 83 Contact information High North. Janet Holmén, Editor FRAM Forum is published once a year on behalf of FRAM – the High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment. Its aim is to inform the general public about the wide range of activities that take place within the Fram Centre. It is available free of charge to any and all who are interested ditor E Janet Holmén Freelance editor Freelance [email protected] editor Image CaeyersRudi [email protected] in topics related to climate, environment, and people in the High North. rudicaeyers.com 4 LETTER FROM THE MINISTER FRAM FORUM 2012 FRAM FORUM 2012 piCTURE OF THE YEAR 5 Erik Solheim // Minister of the Environment and of International Development Communicating scientific research to the public Congratulations on the new magazine! FRAM Forum will make it possible to increase the understanding for is entirely in accordance with our wishes for a broad environmental-political decisions. Moreover, it is im- communication of scientific research. It is important portant to all of us to get to know about behaviour and that the public comes to know about the Fram Cen- chemicals that harm us and the environment, so that tre’s activities. That will mean a lot to the understand- we can make good choices in our daily lives. If we gain ing of the substantial and global environmental prob- awareness that cosmetics, shampoos and deodorants lems that especially impact the Arctic and the High contain substances that can perturb hormones, we North. This applies particularly to climate change and can choose environmentally sound alternatives. ecotoxins. Climate change is perhaps the greatest environmental The scientific activity at the newly established Fram challenge in the High North and the Arctic. Climate 78°50’43.25”N - 2°50’42.74”E Photo: rudicaeyers.com - BFE/UIT http://eu-atp.org Link: Centre is already great, with close cooperation change impacts the flora, the fauna and entire eco- between the natural sciences, technology and the systems. The recent severe birch forest moth attacks social sciences. I have great expectations on the Fram on forests in Finnmark county are an example of this. Centre’s ability to create premises for the design of Another example is the tendency of Lofoten-spawning national and international environmental policies cod to move further north. The coastal population’s through interdisciplinary research. ways of relating to the ecosystems in the ocean and the indigenous communities’ traditional culture have The production of chemicals is increasing rapidly come under pressure. Insight into these phenomena Jan Mayen world-wide, and ever new and harmful substances are is vital in order to be able to face climate change and discovered in the arctic environment. Ecotoxins are develop adaptations and alternatives. therefore high on the Fram Centre’s agenda, and they can already point to an important result. Thanks to Communicating about and reporting on their research research led by Torkjel Sandanger at the centre, the is an activity that is given high priority at the Fram EU’s scientific committee is now assessing the content Centre. Results from research on the climate and the of the substance called parabens in cosmetics. This environment in the High North is to be communicated shows that research at the Fram Centre is at a high to the business communities, the schools, the various level and has clout internationally. management authorities and a wide and varied public, both nationally and internationally. FRAM Forum is trait S This also shows how crucial it is that research findings important to this strategy. are made available to decision-makers and the public alike. Popular science articles in the FRAM Forum ea ice in the Fram S on boardTaken the University of Tromsø research vessel during an Arcticin May 2011 Tipping Points cruise. 6 PROfilE FRAM FORUM 2012 FRAM FORUM 2012 PROfilE 7 Ole Magnus Rapp Without the sea, where would we be ... The world might have missed out on an accomplished violinist. Instead, we got a plain-spoken marine biologist who listens carefully to the hopeful music of small creatures and ocean’s pulse. aul Wassmann has put the weekend and the be one of the university’s least imposing buildings, P celebration of his own sixtieth birthday behind probably erected for temporary use 30 years ago.