Climate of Svalbard
Computer models of global climate have long predicted enhanced greenhouse warming at such latitudes, so the Svalbard record is of particular interest.
The Norwegian Polar Institute's research found that 1,000 years ago the climate on Svalbard was mild, allowing the seas to be navigable.
[11] The Arctic region is particularly vulnerable to climate change because the surface air temperatures are increasing at twice the global rate.
The snow cover and the length it lies on the ground is important to monitor for a number of elements that affect terrestrial ecosystems.
The albedo is reduced when the period of snow-covered ground is shortened, creating a positive feedback mechanism for the climate, one of the main reasons for monitoring it.
Reduced snow cover during spring might also lead to enhanced thawing of permafrost and affect conditions for plants and animals.
This increased food availability causes tiny crustaceans called copepods to come up from the dark depths and start feeding on the ice-algae.
[16] When April comes, the sea ice finally begins to break apart, and the energy stored in the copepods is now available for organisms higher up the food chain.
[16] Small changes in temperatures can make a big difference when it comes to a species specially adapted phenology, especially when the period for life to thrive is a short one, as it is in Svalbard.
Small seasonal shifts can make a species miss the peak of resources, which they need to feed their offspring if they are going to be strong enough to survive.
With more frequent rain events, these plants are now spending more time under a thick layer of newly frozen ice, which the herbivores cannot access.
A study focusing on the shoes worn by people arriving at Svalbard revealed a great number of different species of plants.
The warming temperature and the resulting effects on the ice cover in the Arctic could affect the organisms involved in primary productivity – the phytoplankton and zooplankton.
The negative impacts in the coming decades are expected to increase and could escalate as a result of the reduction in sea-ice cover.
Population decline, changes in behaviour and a worsening physical condition are already being observed, especially in the southern part of the species habitat range.
It has been observed that climatic changes affect reproductive rates and conditions in the polar bear population in Svalbard, but many factors are interlinked and there are aspects that are not fully understood.
In turn, this can mean that they are required to give birth on open ice, exposing the pups to predators as well as being unprotected from harsh weather conditions.
On the west coast of Svalbard, it has been observed that ringed seals have not had enough sea ice for normal reproduction since 2005 and the population is thought to be declining.
The melting of sea ice presents new possible routes for the shipping industry and perhaps more frequent exposures to biofouling and ballast water.
Very few scientific reports have been published connected to invasive species in the Arctic and to reach a better understanding more investigation is needed.
Another risk with climate change is more frequently occurring extreme weather events, which can lead to damage of property and infrastructure.
Higher temperatures can also lead to deeper thawing in the permafrost layer which could weaken the stability of the ground and thereby threaten buildings and roads.
[25] In October 2016, temperatures higher than average in combination with heavy rainfall caused an intrusion of water to deeper areas than had previously occurred.
However, the Norwegian public works agency, Statsbygg, is now planning improvements to the tunnel to prevent any such intrusion in the future and especially facing uncertain climate change.
[26] The Norwegian government has proposed to upgrade the Svalbard Global Seed Vault and has allocated 100 million NOK for this purpose.
The upgrading project includes technical improvements such as an access tunnel built in concrete and a service facility that will host emergency power and refrigerating instruments.
