Change and variability of Arctic Systems Nordaustlandet, Svalbard - "Kinnvika"

The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007–8 was a large effort to extend exploration of the polar systems. In this fourth Polar Year approximately 50 000 persons were involved.

In the IPY-Kinnvika project 69 persons from ten nations were active in the eleven work packages from 2007 to 2009.

The overarching aim with IPY-Kinnvika was to initiate a cross-disciplinary study of change and variability within Arctic systems, particularly focused on the northernmost terrain of the European Arctic: Nordaustlandet, Svalbard.

This was apt since the early years of the twenty-first century showed signs of record warmth in Svalbard, in accordance with predictions made by the climate modeling society. The intention was to monitor these changes and to study their impact on ecosystems and landscapes.

The International Polar Year (IPY) was a large scientific programme focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic from March 2007 to March 2009.  It covered two full annual cycles from March 2007 to March 2009 and involved over 200 projects, with thousands of scientists from over 60 nations examining a wide range of physical, biological and social research topics.

Kinnvika website is maintained by the Arctic Centre, University of Lapland.

Logistical support to IPY-KINNVIKA is gracefully given by following institutions, organizations and companies: