Implementation of research infrastructure – update from COAT Svalbard
Published on: 8. October 2019
COAT Svalbard has now implemented and operationalized several types of research infrastructure in the core areas in Nordenskiöld Land and in Brøgger Peninsula.
These include among others:
- Automatic full-scale weather stations in inland sites in Adventdalen and Reindalen
- GPS transmitters on arctic fox and reindeer to track behavioural responses to the changing environmental conditions
- Sound stations to passively record ptarmigan abundance
- Automatic camera monitoring of arctic fox dens
- Breeding geese and vegetation phenology
- Vegetation monitoring stations in moss tundra and dryas habitats important to herbivores
- Drone photography to quantify small scale patch and habitat changes from herbivore activity
- Ground surface temperature loggers to detect onset of seasons and icing event
- Snow models at ecological relevant temporal and spatial scales
- Cabins for field personnel
We are satisfied with this year’s progress on the implementation of COAT Svalbard research infrastructure and looking forward to working with the data this infrastructure provides. Next field season we will benefit from this infrastructure and continue the implementation.
Capture and collaring of reindeer in Svalbard. The GPS transmitters are important research infrastructure to track behavioral responses of female reindeer to environmental conditions. Photo: Åshild Ønvik Pedersen