Total organic carbon estimation in Spitsbergen: A case study from Adventdalen

Biomass resources in the Arctic are fundamental for biodiversity and carbon release to the atmosphere. It is therefore important to improve our current knowledge on the spatial and temporal distribution of total organic carbon stocks in Arctic lowlands. The main purpose of this study is to estimate total organic carbon in Adventdalen, Svalbard. This will be achieved by aboveground and belowground biomass estimation in different soil and tundra morphotype landscapes. A major goal is to specify the relationship between organic carbon content of aboveground and belowground biomass in Svalbard. To understand this scientific issue, it is necessary to systematically collect and analyze soils and vegetation. The sampling strategy is planned for five of the most dominant tundra types in the High Arctic. Laboratory analyses will be conducted on collected samples using gas chromatography for soils and ash content for vegetation. The results of the proposed project will allow an estimation of the total spatial and temporal variations of total organic carbon.