Fauna

The animal life, both on land and in the sea in the Svalbard area, is affected by the climate and many impact factors. Climate change is the most important cause of changes in the ecosystems in Svalbard, but the effects can be strengthened or weakened in combination with other impact factors.

These indicators were chosen to provide some information on the state of the animal life in Svalbard, on Bjørnøya and Jan Mayen, and in surrounding waters. Commercial fish stocks are extensively monitored, but comparatively little monitoring takes place on other species in northern ecosystems, either in the sea or on land.