Existing time-series of marine biodiversity and the need for nature-type mapping in Svalbard waters: Status, financing, and value for developing management strategies in a changing Arctic

Summary

Nature-type mapping and both physical and biological time series data are essential tools for obtaining a good understanding of ecosystem status and how systems respond to natural and human-based threats. A recent workshop was help to assess which mapping techniques and time-series data are available for Svalbard's nearshore waters. Despite the isolation and often harsh conditions of the high Arctic, an impressive collection of oceanographic and biological time-series exist for the area. Many result from collaborations between Norwegian and international researchers, and some of the longest are for benthic fauna. In addition, methodologies developed from more than a decade of work along the Norwegian mainland, and new physical/geological baseline data, allow the initiation of nature-type mapping efforts on Svalbard. Continuity of funding and data access present some of the largest challenges for prolonging existing time-series and new habitat mapping, but these must be overcome to assure effective environmental management in the region.