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The transport of freshwater in the East Greenland Current through the Fram Strait is monitored because it can affect the regional climate in northern Europe. This is one of the places…

An important aspect of climate change in the Arctic is melting of the permafrost. In Svalbard, monitoring of permafrost is ongoing in several boreholes, including at Janssonhaugen…

The Svalbard walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) population was hunted to near extinction hundreds of years ago and remains Red Listed (Vulnerable) today. Surveys on haul-out sites show that…

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) used to be hunted extensively in Svalbard, but the species has been totally protected since 1973. Few are now killed. Polar bears killed after 1973 have mainly been…

Moderate levels of contaminants are found in ringed seals (Pusa hispida) from Svalbard. Ringed seals are the polar bear’s main prey, and moderate pollutant levels in ringed seals may contribute…

The West Spitsbergen Current (WSC) is the only current transporting warm (>3°C) Atlantic water into the Arctic Ocean. Core temperatures are rising and monitoring is needed to predict changes in…

Harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus) are monitored because the population can be affected by hunting and the species is dependent upon ice and may be affected by climate change. It is…

Zooplankton are small organisms that follow ocean currents and essentially have their entire life cycle in the free water masses. Of these, small crustaceans such as the…

The polar cod (Boreogadus saida) feeds on large plankton, and is an important food item for other fish such as cod, and for seals, whales and sea birds. Tests taken during the last few years…