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The terrestrial invertebrate fauna of the Svalbard archipelago in a changing world: history of research and challenges

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2013

Stephen James Coulson
Stephen James Coulson*
Affiliation:
Department of Arctic Biology, University Centre in Svalbard, PO box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway
*
1Corresponding author (e-mail: steve.coulson@unis.no).
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Abstract

The High Arctic represents a unique environment, an environment from where knowledge is limited and which is currently experiencing rapid change. The archipelago of Svalbard in the European High Arctic possesses a terrestrial and freshwater invertebrate fauna that is distinctive and diverse. However, the majority of studies concentrate on the fauna of the comparatively mild west coast. Very few investigations of the colder east coast exist. Furthermore, scientific investigations are relatively recent. Scientific records of the terrestrial invertebrate fauna begin in the mid-19th century with species inventories and community descriptions but experimental field-based studies and physiological investigations did not commence until the 1980s. Some 570 articles consider this fauna, 54% of which have appeared since 1990. There is hence a dramatic and rapid increase in our understanding, which is not only improving our comprehension of Arctic ecosystem functioning but also providing a baseline for environmental change studies. Due to a largely pristine environment, a political focus and relative ease of logistics, Svalbard is set to become a focus of such studies. This article considers the state of knowledge of the terrestrial and freshwater invertebrate fauna of Svalbard, current research, and discusses the threats to the distinctive communities.

Résumé

Le Haut-Arctique représente un environnement unique qui reste mal étudié et qui connaît actuellement des modifications rapides. L'archipel de Svalbard dans l'extrême Grand Nord européen possède des faunes d'invertébrés terrestres et aquatiques d'eau douce particulières et diversifiées. La plupart des études, cependant, s'intéressent à la faune de la côte occidentale dont le climat est relativement doux. Il existe très peu de travaux faits sur la côte orientale à climat plus froid. Ces travaux scientifiques sont aussi relativement récents. De plus, les études scientifiques de la faune invertébrée terrestre ont débuté au milieu du 19e siècle avec des inventaires d'espèces et des descriptions de communautés, mais les études expérimentales basées sur les travaux de terrain et les recherches physiologiques n'ont commencé que durant les années 1980. Il y a environ 570 articles qui traitent de cette faune, dont 54% ont paru depuis 1990. Il se produit donc un accroissement spectaculaire et rapide des connaissances qui est non seulement en train d'améliorer notre compréhension du fonctionnement des écosystèmes arctiques, mais qui fournit de plus les renseignements de base pour les études sur les changements environnementaux. À cause de son milieu en grande partie non altéré, de son intérêt politique et de la facilité relative de la logistique, Svalbard est destiné à devenir le point de convergence de telles études. Notre article traite de l’état des connaissances des faunes d'invertébrés terrestres et aquatiques d'eau douce de Svalbard, ainsi que des études courantes et il discute des menaces aux communautés particulières de l'archipel.

Type
Review
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 145 , Special Issue 2: Arctic Entomology in the 21st Century , April 2013 , pp. 131 - 146
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 2013

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