Webpages tagged with «UiB»

Published Feb. 4, 2013 12:31 PM

Glacier forelands are excellent study sites for investigating primary succession. The end of the little Ice Age has been followed by a continuous glacial retreat, leaving spatially ordered moraine sequences of different ages. The rate and success of faunal succession on these moraines are influenced by a set of complex processes. The aim of my thesis is to characterize succession patterns of alpine carabid beetles in glacier forelands, and their possible responses to selected biotic and abiotic factors. This will be done by identifying carabid beetles retrieved from pitfall traps, and analyzing the species richness and composition of the different habitats according to the age of the moraines, topography and snow cover.

Published Feb. 4, 2013 12:31 PM

A climate change experiment with open top chambers (OTCs) was established in the Dryas octopetala heath on Sanddalsnuten in 2000. Combined warming and nutrient addition has increased productivity and grass dominance at the cost of mosses, lichens, and small herbs, resulting in decreased diversity. In a seed sowing experiment we examined the relative role of dispersal and local interactions for alpine plant community diversity under climate warming. The long term effects of warming and local interactions on species recruitment and community dynamics will be examined in the coming years. This project is part of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX).

Published Feb. 4, 2013 12:31 PM

Surviving the winter is a special challenge for herbivorous aquatic invertebrates in the alpine region due to long period of ice cover and cessation of primary production. Daphnids that reproduce parthenogenetically during the summer, with 2-3 generation through July and August, solve that problem with depositing sexually produced resting eggs in the autumn. However, the species at Finse, Daphnia umbra , also has an alternative strategy. Instead of producing parthenogenetic or sexual eggs in the autumn, they start storing lipid droplets in the body cavity.

Published Feb. 6, 2013 2:19 PM

A climate change experiment with open top chambers (OTCs) was established in the Dryas octopetala heath on Sanddalsnuten in 2000. Combined warming and nutrient addition has increased productivity and grass dominance at the cost of mosses, lichens, and small herbs, resulting in decreased diversity. In a seed sowing experiment we examined the relative role of dispersal and local interactions for alpine plant community diversity under climate warming. The long term effects of warming and local interactions on species recruitment and community dynamics will be examined in the coming years. This project is part of the International Tundra Experiment (ITEX).

Published Feb. 6, 2013 2:26 PM

Glacier forelands are excellent study sites for investigating primary succession. The end of the little Ice Age has been followed by a continuous glacial retreat, leaving spatially ordered moraine sequences of different ages. The rate and success of faunal succession on these moraines are influenced by a set of complex processes. The aim of my thesis is to characterize succession patterns of alpine carabid beetles in glacier forelands, and their possible responses to selected biotic and abiotic factors. This will be done by identifying carabid beetles retrieved from pitfall traps, and analyzing the species richness and composition of the different habitats according to the age of the moraines, topography and snow cover.

 

Published Feb. 6, 2013 2:54 PM

Surviving the winter is a special challenge for herbivorous aquatic invertebrates in the alpine region due to long period of ice cover and cessation of primary production. Daphnids that reproduce parthenogenetically during the summer, with 2-3 generation through July and August, solve that problem with depositing sexually produced resting eggs in the autumn. However, the species at Finse, Daphnia umbra, also has an alternative strategy. Instead of producing parthenogenetic or sexual eggs in the autumn, they start storing lipid droplets in the body cavity.

 

Published Apr. 24, 2009 1:11 PM

This course is for master students and bachelor students in their final year. Students get aquainted with winter survival in plants and many different groups of animals (e.g. Arthropods, Cervids, aquatic animals) as well as humans. The book "Life in the cold" by Peter J. Marchand is used as the curriculum in addition to lectures given by various invited specialists. Students also get hands-on experience with snow profiles and conditions.

Published Feb. 4, 2013 12:31 PM

The project focuses on the effects of snow for the distribution of mountain plants, vegetation types, species richness, and plant phenology. So far 350 permanent plots (2x2m) have been established, south, east and north of Hardangervidda (60 in the Finse area). Floristic composition and soil samples have been analysed in all plots. In most of the plots, data-loggers are recording soil temperatures. From April until late summer, plots are regularly visited in order to measure snow thickness and study plant phenology. The results of the studies will also be used a basis for evaluation of possible ecological effects of global warming.

Published Feb. 4, 2013 12:31 PM

By using modern geolocator technology this project aims to map the migration and wintering areas of a small shorebird breeding at Finse -the Temminck's Stint.

Published Feb. 6, 2013 4:06 PM

Bird migration has fascinated man for centuries and various methods have been used to find out where birds are travelling. In the last few decades advanced technology made it possible to follow the journeys of individual birds in detail e.g. by applying satellite transmitters. However, a general problem has always been to make devices light enough for use on small birds.