Short description of the ICE EDGE PROGRAMME

The ice edge is recognized as a hotspot for productivity in the Arctic marine ecosystem. In the high Arctic, the majority of all primary production occurs within a few weeks as a sweep of productivity follows the retreat of the ice. This project will analyze the cascading effects of the Arctic bloom through the different trophic levels in a high Arctic ecosystem, as well as analyzing the timing and productivity of key herbivore and carnivore species. The project will mainly be based in Rijpfjorden on the northern coast of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. This high Arctic fjord’s hydrographic and sea ice characteristics can be considered as a good model system for the ice covered Arctic Ocean. During the years 2007-2009, a newly established field station and a autonomous sea-observatory will be operated for collection of both biological and physical data. Fieldwork and data collection will be mirrored by a comparative study in Isfjorden on the west coast of Svalbard, a fjord strongly influenced by advection of warm Atlantic water.

The principal objective of this study is to assess the timing, quantity and quality of primary and secondary production along the ice edge. This will be accomplished by studying a selected number of keystone species in the ecosystem:

Ice algae and phytoplankton bloom
Calanus spp. (herbivorous)
Sympagic and benthic amphipods (Onisimus)
Leptoclinus maculatus, a benthic carnivorous fish
Ecotoxicology of the above mentioned species