ASBD

Spatial predictive modeling – fieldwork July 2008

In order to validate the results of the spatial predictive habitat model two fieldwork trips were completed, one in April 2008 and a second trip from June 28 to July 4 2008. The second trip was carried out in the Hammerfest area, outside of Sørøya, on the northern end of Seiland and the southern part of Rolvsøy by Hartvig Christie, NIVA and Nina Mari Jørgensen, Akvaplan-niva onboard the rented vessel “Arcticus”.

Effects of petroleum activities on sensitive life stages – fieldwork April 2009

Fertilized capelin eggs attached to gravel and macro algae at the beach 1. Photo: Knut Forberg

Balsfjord is a fjord south of Tromsø which is inhabited by a beach-spawning population of capelin (Mallotus villosus), and the spawning is normally taking place during April.

In order to collect capelin eggs for the toxicity study of pyrene on early life stages, three fieldwork trips to the fjord have been carried out.

Kelp forest spatial and temporal variability

Initial results from the ASBD biodiversity and ecology of nearshore ecosystems - kelpbeds and associated habitats activity are interesting.

Kelp forests support thriving invertebrate faunal communities, providing food and shelter for coastal fish. Grazing by the sea urchin Stronglyocentrotus droebachiensis impacts the kelp forest fauna by:

• - Reduction in epiphytes on stipes (reducing habitat)
• - Structural changes to kelp (affects overall biodiversity).

Preliminary results for the long time picture series analysis.

The preliminary results of the picture analysis from the Spildra Kvænangen site at 5 meters depth show variation in species abundance and cover. So far only suggestions about observed results are given. Mechanisms such as herbivory and competition are very likely, but linking the observed variation to environmental parameters such as temperature (measured and Sea Surface Temperature (SST)) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) seems also very plausible.

Dominance of foraminiferans

Bottom water dwelling (benthic) foraminifera are single-celled protists which can live in the full range of habitat positions with regards to the sediment-surface interface, i.e. attached or free-living on the surface of a substrate (‘epifaunal’) or living within the sediment (shallow or deep ‘infaunal’). This microhabitat preference is species dependent. Foraminifera therefore play a significant role in the structure of the upper sediment layers although knowledge of their interaction with the surrounding sediment and fauna remains complex and to some extent poorly understood.