The effect of nutrient input from migrating birds on the succession of freshwater communities of different ages in Svalbard

Informations

Funding country

Norway

Acronym

BRANTA-DULCIS

URL

-

Start date

1/1/2015

End date

12/31/2017

Budget

132,717 EUR

Fundings

Abstract

Within this project, we have established an international team including researchers from Norway, Russia, Denmark and Poland. The aim was to evaluate the effects of nutrient input from migrating birds on freshwater communities of different age. We sampled material from 17 sites in respectively Ny Ålesund and the Fjord Grønfjorden (initially we hoped to sample 20 sites, but due to harsh weather conditions and accessibility, we had to reduce this number). Sampling sites were in different distances to retreating glaciers. We sampled and have analysed zooplankton, littoral invertebrates, phytoplankton, phytobenthos, macro- and meiobenthos. We also described and collected data on birds dropping surrounding the localities. In addition, water temperature, oxygen, pH, conductivity was measured. Later chlorophyll, total phosphorus and nitrogen was analysed in the laboratory. Samples for C-analyses were also collected, but unfortunately lost on the way to the university in Oslo. Sediment cores from several localities for paleolimnological analysis were also taken. Unfortunately, preliminary dating of the samples proved that all core samples were mixed and not useful for further analysis. The disturbance was probably caused by human activity in the lake. Since the paleo approach failed, we have paid more attention to the existing data set, and included data from the previous project (FREMONEC) for more advanced statistical analysis. The outcome of the project is - two meetings (Moscow and Oslo), fieldwork in Svalbard, material procession, data analysis, several conferences, popular scientific article and five research papers (1 published, 3 submitted, 1 in prep.). Our results have broadened the existing knowledge on species diversity and distribution in the Svalbard Archipelago. We have also recognized several regularities between goose density gradient, chemical variables and other organisms? taxon richness and structure. An improved understanding of the effects mediated by the increasing goose population and rising temperatures in Arctic ecosystems, will improve the prediction for future changes. Finally, the project has strengthened the network between Norwegian and Russian scientists.