Threatened fjord ecosystems: Arctic researchers discuss research results in Bremen

The project FACE-IT examines Arctic fjord systems in the light of the effects of the ongoing ice loss in glaciers. From 28.11. to 02.12., all scientists involved in FACE-IT will meet in Bremen to discuss the research results up to now and to discuss the future of the project.

More than 60 scientists from 14 universities and institutes in 8 countries are involved in the EU-H2020 project FACE-IT ("The future of Arctic coastal ecosystems - Identifying transitions in fjord systems and adjacent coastal areas"). The project is managed by marine botanist Prof. Kai Bischof from the University of Bremen. Biodiversity, ecosystem functions but also the social dimensions such as fishing, lifestyle of the indigenous population and nature-based tourism in different fjords in Greenland, Spitsbergen and Northern Norway are compared.

The marine botany team at the University of Bremen is involved in FACE-IT with diverse research activities in the Kongsfjord in Svalbard, in the Porsangerfjord in northern Norway and in the Nuup Kangerlua fjord in Greenland. For example, in 2021, the effects of increasing glacier and snow melt and the associated sediment input on the underwater light regime in Kongsfjord and, thus, on the light availability for seaweeds were investigated. In experimental approaches, the team continues to investigate the combined effects of changing light climate and increasing temperature on the photosynthesis of arctic macroalgae. Samples will be taken for comparative analyzes of biochemical and genomic profiles of seaweeds from the different fjord systems studied in the FACE-IT project. In addition, the team participates in surveys of the algae-associated fauna and conducts studies on the feeding ecology of sea urchins, which can have a significant impact on the macroalgal population.

As part of this meeting, a public lecture series will take place, during which everybody will also have the opportunity to talk to the scientists of the FACE-IT project: On November 30th from 4 to 8 pm in the Olbers Hall of the House of Science.