Arctic Biology

5 October 2016

Extreme events like the mild winter experienced in Longyearbyen last year, with rain, sleet and positive temperatures, may become more frequent in the future Arctic climate, and thereby challenge the inherent resilience of Arctic species and the ecosystems in which they are part of.

21 July 2016

Climate change could make much of the Arctic unsuitable for millions of migratory birds that travel north to breed each year, according to a new international study published in Global Change Biology.

28 June 2016

The department of Arctic biology at UNIS has for an extended number of years done research and education on the vegetation in Adventdalen and the species eating it – geese as well as reindeer. This year’s total count of reindeer in Adventdalen has just finished.

23 June 2016

Imagine an Arctic bird cliff in summer, teeming with fledging chicks and predators waiting below. Now fast-forward to a short time later and picture a quiet breeding cliff dusted in snow. What evolutionary adaptations and constraints shape when birds breed in seasonal environments? And when conditions change, will birds breed at the “right” time?

31 March 2016

Global warming means much warmer winters in the Arctic, with more rain and icing. Researchers are working to understand what that will do to plants that have evolved to overwinter under a thick blanket of snow.