Where is Svalbard
Svalbard is an archipelago north of Norway and is part of Norwegian territories.
What is Svalbard considered to be?
It is considered to be Europe’s largest wilderness area. Despite the challenges associated with an extreme climate, its mountainous and remote location offers economic opportunities.
What are some key industries in Svalbard?
Key industries include Coal Mining, Fishing, Research and Tourism.
How do tourists arrive to Svalbard and what do they do?
Tourists arrive via scheduled flights or cruise ships. They are taken onshore by inflatable boats to visit landforms and glaciers, cultural sites and wildlife.
What are some issues related to tourism in Svalbard?
Erosion of the Tundra, Litter, Pollution and disturbance
How is the erosion of the tundra damaging Svalbard?
As tourists walk across the tundra, their boots compact the spare vegetation and soil
How is litter damaging Svalbard?
Most tourists and guides are very careful to not drop litter although inevitably, it is still dropped and eaten by animals sometimes with fatal results.
How is pollution damaging Svalbard?
- Navigation in summer is possible due to ice melt, and these cruise ships emit lots of CO2
- Propellers can disturb ocean floor
- Oil Leaks
How is disturbance damaging Svalbard?
In 1996, the number of sites in Svalbard where cruise passengers went totalled at 63, but by 2013 it was 172
In 2013, 7400 passengers were recorded, which is a triple of the number a decade earlier
What are some positive impacts on Svalbard?
- The growth of tourism has provided employment hotels, museums and retail establishment. Employment has been provided to the people on the cruise ships
How has tourism been managed in Svalbard?
- Carried out regularly over the long-term without damaging the environment
- 65% of the land is protected by law
- Since 2010 tour companies have prohibited visiting certain sites deemed too
fragile
What organisations keep Svalbard safe?
- The AECO (Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators) is an international association aiming to manage responsible, environmentally friendly and safe cruise operations in the Arctic.
- Members follow both general and site-specific rules
What are the eight basic principles for visitors of Svalbard?
- Leave no lasting signs of visit
- Do not pick flowers
- Do not take anything natural away
- Do not disturb wildlife
- Leave cultural remains alone
- Take polar bear danger seriously
- Respect local culture and local people
- Be safe
What are some historic impacts on cold environments?
A huge impact on the ecosystem due to hunting of whales, seals and fish
How were the impacts of extreme fishing and hunting managed?
International whaling commission - set up in 1946 to monitor and conserve the whale population
CCAMLR (Convention for the conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources) - Established in 1982 to preserve marine arctic wildlife, mainly in response to the rapid depletion of Krill and Rock Cod.
How is energy a managed in Svalbard?
- 30% of employees on Svalbard work for the coal company
- Reserves expected to drain by 2030
- 1/3 of all oil/gas reserves potentially located in this reigon
How is fishing managed in Svalbard
- 2nd biggest contributor to GDP
- Rapidly growing industry
- 200 mile zone around Svalbard is seen as exclusively ‘Economic Areas’
How are pipes managed in Svalbard?
- They are on the ground or above ground to prevent them getting damaged and thawing the permafrost
What is the accessibility and transport like in Svalbard?
- Lots of walking
- Using snowmobiles, dogs and sledges to get around
- This way, heat from cars doesn’t melt the permafrost
- People don’t travel far from settlements
