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The changes in climate affect the ecosystems on land through changes in the atmospheric climate and the cryosphere – ice, snow and permafrost. The climate indicators for land areas are intended to shed light on the mass balance of glaciers, the duration of the snow cover and changes in the permafrost.

The ocean climate indicators shed light on changes in sea ice, sea level, ocean temperature, salinity and freshwater currents. Changes in these factors may signal climate change and will have significance for the natural environment in Svalbard, on Jan Mayen and in surrounding waters. Some indicators also measure processes that are closely linked with trends in the climate globally or in large parts of Europe. Since there are large natural variations in the Arctic, it is important to monitor the ocean climate indicators over a long period.

It is important to monitor the atmospheric climate to reveal the effects of increases in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Atmospheric radiation, temperature, precipitation and the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are key climate indicators. Since there are large natural variations in the Arctic, it is important to monitor the climate indicators over a long period.

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.

There are many impact factors for the environment in Svalbard and on Jan Mayen, and it is often difficult to assess how the sum of all the impact factors together with climate change affects the environment. Pollution is mostly transported to the area, since there are few local discharges or emissions. People may disturb wildlife and inflict wear and tear on the vegetation. Fisheries and hunting of marine mammals affect the populations of the species concerned, and even though they are sustainably managed it is important to monitor the activity. Hunting of animals and birds living on land is regulated to prevent their populations being negatively affected, and data on the bag size of the individual species are essential for the management authorities.

Climate change has already brought major changes to the Arctic, and still greater ones are expected in the future. Svalbard stands on the verge of a new climate characterised by winters lacking temperatures below -20°C, less sea ice and a longer growing season in summer. The MOSJ climate indicators provide information on changes in the Svalbard climate in the atmosphere, in the sea and on land. Since there are large natural variations in the Arctic, it is important to monitor the climate indicators over a long period.

Hudson, Stephen R.; Gjelten, Herdis M.; Isaksen, Ketil; Kohler, Jack : Tromsø: Norsk Polarinstitutt, 2019 -44s (Rapportserie / Norsk Polarinstitutt ; nr 050)

Renner, Angelika H.H.; Dodd, Paul A.; Fransson, Agneta : Tromsø: Norwegian Polar Institute, 2018 -51 pp (Report series / Norwegian Polar Institute ; no 048) (PDF 12,9 MB)

Pollutant levels in lake sediments are generally low in the Arctic. They are classified as insignificantly to moderately polluted. Sediment cores from Ellasjøen, a lake on Bjørnøya, show an increase…

Per Fauchald … [et al.]. – Tromsø : Norwegian Polar Institute, 2014. – 43 pp. : ill. ; 30 cm. – (Report series / Norwegian Polar Institute ; no. 145) (PDF 4.6 MB)