0 projects

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Reconstructing Holocene climate variability from lake sediments of Amsterdamøya, RiS ID 6655

There are gaps in our knowledge of Holocene paleoclimate in the High Arctic due to a lack of well-resolved records and limitations of existing proxy data. Our understanding of High Arctic climate variability can be improved with the application of new bi ogeochemical methods and chronologic tool...

Awarded: NOK 32,934

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Workshop on collaboration and coordination within the Ny-Ålesund Atmospheric Flagship Programme

Ny-Ålesund offers an excellent location for observing key climate and atmospheric parameters from the atmospheric boundary layer up to tens of km above Earth. Many such atmospheric measurements have been performed in Ny-Ålesund for decades already by rese archers from many nations. In 2008 a SSF...

Awarded: NOK 0.11 mill.

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

The influence of flea infestation on the reproductive success of barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) in Kongsfjord, Svalbard.

The aim of this project is to investigate the effect that infestation of nests by fleas (Ceratophyllus vagabundus vagabundus Boheman, 1866) has on the incubation, and hatching and fledging success of barnacle geese on the Lovén islands in Kongsfjord. Nes ts will be mapped and a minimum of 20 nes...

Awarded: NOK 35,999

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Radar mapping of the bed of tributary glaciers of Kronebreen, Svalbard, RIS ID 6660

This planned fieldwork is part of the modelling project of the subglacial conditions of Kronebreen. It will provide supplementary data to feed the model of Kronebreen subglacial processes. My goal is to inverse the surface velocities of Kronebreen to retr ieve a seasonal evolution of the basal dr...

Awarded: NOK 69,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Spatial variability of snow and avalanche conditions along a climatic gradient in Central Spitsbergen

This project will study the regional variability of snow conditions around Longyearbyen and how the regional conditions influence snow avalanche potentials. The fieldwork will run over one winter season (January to May, 2014) and will be the basis for an MSc thesis in Physical Geography. System...

Awarded: NOK 12,999

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Hydrological and speleological investigations on Austre Brøggerbreen, RiS ID 6570

Speleological mapping (winter) and dGPS mapping and dye tracing (summer) to investigate differences in morphology and velocity of a supraglacial and englacial drainage system. The data will be compared with previous mappings and dye tracings to see how th e channels have evolved the last decade.

Awarded: NOK 60,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

knowledge exchange in the expedition cruise tourism community in Svalbard, ris id 6595

this phd research project will investigate the adaptive governance potential of the marine community on expedition cruise tourism on Svalbard and how it can be improved by the willingness of different actors to share different types of knowledge (local, s cientific or industry) and to learn from ...

Awarded: NOK 33,362

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

The Effects of Perfluorinated Compounds on Thyroid Hormone in Ivory gulls (Pagophila eburnea) and Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla)

This study will investigate whether perfluorinated compounds affect the thyroid hormone system in ivory gulls and black-legged kittiwakes. This will be accomplished by collecting blood samples from the two species during the breeding seasons of 2013 and 2014. The blood will be analyzed for perf...

Awarded: NOK 39,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Later snow melt reduces dwarf shrub secondary growth (Salix polaris, Adventdalen), RiS ID 6615

In many tundra regions dwarf trees of the Arctic (i.e. shrubs) are becoming dominant and increasing in cover. Since shrubs can become old (more than 100 yrs old) and its annual ring growth register valuable environmental information, dendrochronological s tudies on tundra shrubs are becoming more...

Awarded: NOK 19,748

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Effects of pollution on metabolic rate and physiological blood parameters in arctic kittiwake, RIS ID 6617

I aim to study the physiological effects (both in terms of metabolic rate, endocrine and clinical parameters) of novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs), organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs), traditional organohalogenated compounds (OHCs) and toxic metals in the light of ecological charact...

Awarded: NOK 20,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Mapping individual migration strategies of an Arctic seabird

The aim of the project is to investigate individual migration strategies and wintering areas in an Arctic seabird. Little information exists on individual flexibility or consistency in migration and wintering strategies of seabirds breeding in Svalbard. S uch information is important for conserva...

Awarded: NOK 79,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Microbial Symbionts of Arctic Peatlands and their Relevance for Present and Future Carbon and Nitrogen Cycling - ArcBiont RiS ID: 6547

The project will investigate microbial communities of the methane cycle that are associated with submerged Arctic peat mosses. The thesis will focus on Arctic samples from the peatlands Twin water, Gludneset, and Knudsenheia in the vicinity of Ny-Ålesund (Svalbard), the Siberian Lena Delta (coll...

Awarded: NOK 52,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Reaching Deep into the Big Black Box: diversity and functionality of arctic microbes.

In a broad sense, this research aims to elucidate microbial community structure and the forces that shape succession and diversity patterns within sea ice: light regimes, nutrient influxes, parasitism, and mutualism. Heavy fungal parasitism of diatoms ob served in Barrow, Alaska, (Personal obser...

Awarded: NOK 24,310

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Nest microclimate variation and reproductive success in Common Eider (Somateria mollissima), RiS ID 361

A good understanding of the consequences of climate change on Arctic species demography and populations dynamics is of paramount importance and urgently needed. Climatic conditions during breeding may affect reproductive output and/or breeder condition wi th potential long term consequences on th...

Awarded: NOK 58,986

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Effects of pollution on metabolic rate and blood parameters in arctic kittiwake. RiS ID: 6617

The current proposal aims to study the physiological effects (both in terms of metabolic rate, endocrine and clinical parameters) of emerging flame retardants, traditional persistent organic pollutants and toxic metals in the light of ecological character istics (diet, habitat) and environmental ...

Awarded: NOK 71,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Jan Mayen - A multi approach study on Holocene environmental and climatic changes

Based on field work (Quaternary geology) in Jan Mayen, the project will provide new knowledge on climate and environmental changes in a terrestrial key area in between two main ocean current systems; cold Arctic water from the East Greenland Current/Jan M ayen Current and warm Atlantic water from...

Awarded: NOK 31,474

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Detailed mapping of the active layer and top permafrost potential carbon release in central Svalbard. RiS ID:6650

The overall main objectives of the present work are to: (1) Investigate high potential SOC (soil organic carbon) areas where little data is available about permafrost and active layer carbon storage/release. Sites will be selected according to aerial pict ures study in landforms containing high a...

Awarded: NOK 30,013

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Are little auks filter-feeders? An experimental approach to test their sensitivity to ongoing climate change RIS ID: 6639

Little auks (Alle alle) are highly vulnerable to environmental modifications in the Arctic. Knowledge of their feeding behaviour and foraging profitability is crucial to predict how these energetically challenged birds will cope with anticipated environme ntal changes, leading to a reduction of t...

Awarded: NOK 39,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Meiofauna Composition and Distribution: A Pan-Arctic Comparison

Sea ice is a unique medium composed of a solid ice matrix permeated by an extensive brine channel system. This channel system is host to a community of ice associated (sympagic) microbes, algae and invertebrates. Given the understudied nature of sea ice o rganisms, many sympagic organisms lack ta...

Awarded: NOK 35,999

Project Period: 2014-2016

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Potential activity of microbial community in the Biological Soil Crusts in the glacial forefield of Werenskioldbreen glacier

The aim of this project is to detect photosynthetic and heterotrophic activity of BSC in High Arctic glacier forefields. The proposed project will be conducted in glacial forefield of Werenskioldbreen glacier in the SW Svalbard (June/July). It will be ba sed at the Polish Polar Station at the Ho...

Awarded: NOK 55,074

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Turnover of trophic markers and lipid carbon in distinct Arctic marine food webs, RIS ID 6668

In a context of sea ice decrease in the Arctic, this PhD project focuses on a combination of field and laboratory investigations to improve the understanding of the basic lipid metabolism and physiological adaptations of distinct Arctic food webs. One of the main focuses of this project is the ...

Awarded: NOK 69,721

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Reconstruction of past atmospheric circulation patterns along the coast of Norway and Svalbard during the last 2000 years

In order to distinguish the temporal-spatial effects of anthropologically induced changes on the climate system, there is an urgent need for better quantification of natural climate variability. This variability is controlled by the interaction between th e forcing and internal processes of the c...

Awarded: NOK 45,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

The High Arctic switch from ericoid- to ecto- mycorrhiza in Cassiope tetragona ssp. tetragona, RIS ID 6648

Cassiope tetragona spp. tetragona spread out fast after the last glaciation, and is the only Cassiope species that have managed to spread out and reach a circumpolar range. Cassiope belongs to Ericaceae, and have usually ericoid mycorrhiza. However, in Hi gh Arctic areas, this species have been f...

Awarded: NOK 30,867

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Estimating uncertainties and sources of error in population monitoring of the Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)RiS : 6188

Monitoring population dynamics of wild ungulates relies on accurate estimates of population size and vital rates. However, errors in population monitoring methods can be numerous (e.g. lack of repeated measurement, sampling time period, observer bias etc. ) and in most studies they are not invest...

Awarded: NOK 20,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Layer parallel shortening and cataclastic flow by fractures in the Permian Kapp Starostin Formation, Mediumfjellet, Spitsbergen

The thesis addresses three fundamental questions related to fold-thrust belts of relevance to reservoir and cap rock studies; i. Can a link between LPS and small-scale fracture systems reflecting folding of layers by cataclastic flow (in line with Ismat and Mitra, 2005) within a pseudo-mechani...

Awarded: NOK 31,600

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Calving and Surging Glaciers: Observations, Modelling, Predictions

Calving and surging are both complex dynamic phenomena that exert strong controls of the flux of ice into the oceans. Calving - the breakaway of icebergs from glaciers into the sea - accounts for a large proportion of ice flux from Arctic glaciers and the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets, and ...

Awarded: NOK 0.17 mill.

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Snow Monitoring using Automatic Camera Systems at Svalbard Key Sites

On Svalbard, the long-lasting snow cover and the timing of the snowmelt is a crucial factor in the yearly cycle of all land ecosystems. SMACS will explore monitoring of the snow cover and snow melt from the point to a scale of several square kilometers at the Svalbard key research locations Ny-Å...

Awarded: NOK 0.32 mill.

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Holocene environmental change of Svalbard

We will analyse the Holocene environmental history in Kongsfjorden since deglaciation. At least three Ny-Ålesund flagships have identified the need for long-term climate records. Up to date no integrated temperature, precipitation or glacial variability r ecord exists for the entire Holocene for ...

Awarded: NOK 0.40 mill.

Project Period: 2014-2015

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Lunar Arctic-coordinated remote sensing of aerosols: LUNAR photometry close the gap in ARCTIC aerosol climatology and satellite validation

In the context of a rapidly changing environment, collaborative efforts are essential to understand and to mitigate agents that contribute to modifications in the polar regions. Arctic aerosols have been studied intensively since many year. Nevertheless, there remain recognized deficiencies in A...

Awarded: NOK 0.40 mill.

Project Period: 2014-2016

Location: Ukjent Fylke

SSF-Svalbard Science Forum

Diving ecology and migration of a capital breeder, the common eider

The aim of this project is to investigate how migration and seasonal conditions affect the diving and foraging ecology of the common eider. Especially, it will focus on how day-length and temperature affects the diving frequency and the diving depth at di fferent times of the year, while being lo...

Awarded: NOK 79,999

Project Period: 2014-2014

Location: Ukjent Fylke