Natureview Spitsbergen

More ice please

Arjen Drost — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:19:18 +0000

East Greenland in September

In September the sea ice reaches its minimum in the Arctic. This year the record low of 2007 was almost broken (see graph below). Now the area is increasing again as it should be. However, you can see the level stays still far below average. Here you can read more about the current conditions.

sea ice levels in 2011

Polar Bear cubs drowning due to melting ice

Arjen Drost — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:12:01 +0000

Polar Bear on the pack ice

A recent study by the US Geological Survey together with the WWF showed an increase in cub mortality due to the longer distances they have to swim with their mothers in search of ice and/or land. Another result of the melting ice and changing climate.

Paul Nicklen: Conservation photography

Arjen Drost — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:44:35 +0000

the Pack Ice

Paul Nicklen, one of the best Polar Photographers in the word, explains his passion for the Polar areas and his concern about the effects of climate change on the polar ecosystems. A great lecture, with a lot of passion, humor and great pictures.

Conservation vs. tourism

Arjen Drost — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:55:17 +0000

Sometimes there is some debate if tourism in vulnerable places as the Arctic is a good thing. It can be better not to bring people to places like this. Heritage expeditions showed that it can be useful to do so. They organized a special expedition to search for the critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Apart from visiting the best known breeding site for the species, they also visited several places where Spoon-billed was expected, but due to the remoteness, was never found. And they did find them. You can read the story on the Birdlife page. Great news!!

The state of the ice

Arjen Drost — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 21:06:37 +0000

Summertime is always the time of year when the Arctic sea ice starts to melt. In autumn and winter it grows and in summer it melts. Each year the question arises how much will melt this year.

Pack ice on Spitsbergen

Will it be less again as the previous year? Will it beat the record low of 2007, or will there be a little more again? For now it doesn’t look good… For now we’re equalling 2010 (the lowest extent in june) and 2007 (the year with the record low). Hopefully it will not be that hot the next period, leaving a bit more sea ice left. On this site you can see some graphs and charts with the current state of the ice.

For me it’s also always an exciting time. How much ice will melt around Spitsbergen. How far can we sail? Can we sail around the main island, or do we have to turn around at a certain stage. And will there be enough ice to show the tourists. A trip without any sea ice really misses something. This website gives the latest ice charts for the Northern Atlantic, with this as the latest chart for Spitsbergen. It looks like the ice will have melted enough for us to sail around the main island. Hopefully there will be enough left to show the tourists (and to take pictures like this).

Welcome

Arjen Drost — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 22:45:17 +0000

Liefdefjord

Welcome to the new layout of my Spitsbergen page. On this page I hope to help you find the best way for you to experience Spitsbergen. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me! On the blog I’ll post my own experiences or news about the Arctic.

Enjoy!