We are studying:

(1) The timing, quantity and quality of ice algal and phytoplankton spring bloom

(2) How variations in light and UV radiation affect algal food quality

(3) The importance of timing and available food for reproduction and growth of the dominant herbivorous zooplankton species in Arctic shelf seas: Calanus glacialis.

The Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) is the key productive area of Arctic shelf seas. The ongoing warming of Arctic regions will lead to a northward retreat of the MIZ, and to an earlier opening of huge areas in spring. This may result in a temporal mismatch between the phytoplankton spring bloom and zooplankton reproduction. Less ice will also reduce the ice algae production that may be an important food source for spawning zooplankton prior to the phytoplankton spring bloom. Quantity and quality of primary production in seasonally ice-covered seas is primarily regulated by light and nutrients. Excess light, however, is potentially detrimental for algae and can reduce algal food quality. A decrease in the relative amount of essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in algae due to excess light may affect the reproductive success and growth of zooplankton, and thereby the transport of energy to higher trophic levels, such as fish, birds, and mammals.

Our project follows a combined approach:
in 2007, we carried out an extensive field study of an ice-dominated eosystem in Rijpfjorden on Nordaustlandet (Svalbard), whereas in 2008 we will focus more on different experimental studies. The field work was carried out in close cooperation with the IceAmph-project, and more information about this can be found here.