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Environmental changes in Svalbard at the beginning of the 21st century. Part 1. Climate, ocean, and sea ice
https://doi.org/10.7868/S2412376525040139
Abstract
This review provides the present-day assessment of natural environment state of the Svalbard Archipelago in the first quarter of the 21st century. In recent decades, the region was subjected to significant environmental changes due to fast climate warming associated with the Arctic amplification, when rates of the surface temperature growth exceeded the global means by several times. This resulted in marked transformation of the local ecosystems. The key environmental factors, including (1) climate, (2) oceanography, (3) sea ice, are considered in the first part of the article. The paper presents current trends in surface air temperature and sea ice, as well as the dynamics of Atlantic Water inflow into the archipelago’s fjords. Although Svalbard is among the most accessible and thoroughly studied regions of the Arctic, there are significant gaps in knowledge due to technical and methodological difficulties. The problems involve fragmented and incorrect data on the atmospheric precipitation, a lack of yearround oceanographic observations, and insufficient understanding of the impacts of Atlantic water on the fjords. These aspects open ways for future research, with a particular emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches that may enhance understanding of ecosystem changes in the context of climate change.
About the Authors
U. V. ProkhorovaRussian Federation
Saint Petersburg
E. V. Bloshkina
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
M. S. Mahotin
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
A. V. Vesman
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
A. V. Terekhov
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
A. L. Borisik
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
K. V. Romashova
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
R. A. Chernov
Russian Federation
Moscow
I. I. Vasilevich
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
V. E. Demidov
Russian Federation
Saint Petersburg
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Supplementary files
For citation: Prokhorova U.V., Bloshkina E.V., Mahotin M.S., Vesman A.V., Terekhov A.V., Borisik A.L., Romashova K.V., Chernov R.A., Vasilevich I.I., Demidov V.E. Environmental changes in Svalbard at the beginning of the 21st century. Part 1. Climate, ocean, and sea ice. Ice and Snow. 2025;65(4):703-717. https://doi.org/10.7868/S2412376525040139
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