Over the last week of Might, eleven of us in “the marine group” went on fieldwork collectively, up far north.
Primarily based in Torsvåg (see map), we’ve collected materials for a number of species mapping initiatives supported by the Norwegian Taxonomy Initiative (Artsprosjektet).
The UMB contributors. From again left: Joan, Jon, Tom, Nataliya, Katrine, Cessa, Marta (visitor of NOAH). Entrance from left: Lea, Luis, Eva and Praveen
The fieldwork originated from the collaboration between the initiatives “Norwegian Marine Fungi” (Teppo Rämä, UiT), “NOAH – Norwegian Arctic Hydrozoans” (Joan J. Soto-Àngel, UMB), and “Polychaetes within the Arctic” (ManDAriN) (Nataliya Budaeva, UMB).
Moreover, the initiatives “Decrease Heterobranchia and Pyramidellidae of Norway,” “Parasites on Jellyfish, Comb Jellies, and Chetognaths” (ParaZoo), “Digitization of Norwegian Bryozoans” (NorDigBryo), and “Marine Amphipods: Range, Species Advanced, and Molecular Research” (MADAM) have been represented (many people take part in a number of initiatives), overlaying a variety of organisms.
The sunshine home, and a few indicators that you will have been invaded by marine biologists (picture: Ok. Kongshavn)
Climate-wise, the Bergen group had some doubts as we packed our automobile in almost 30-degree warmth whereas snow was falling up North. Nonetheless, it turned out that good climate awaited us! By the point we settled into our lodging, the spring-winter was over, the solar got here out – and didn’t set! A bonus of being within the land of the midnight solar, for certain.
From summer time to winter – or? (pictures: Ok. Kongshavn, screengrabs from yr.no and nrk.no)
The surroundings was breathtaking!
Upon arriving at Torsvåg Lighthouse, Teppo handled us to pancakes and a method assembly. Earlier than the night was over, we had our first samples within the lab, collected at low tide close to the lighthouse.
Our first colleting of the journey was finished in these tide swimming pools. Photograph: Ok. Kongshavn
From there, it was a flurry of exercise: amassing from tide swimming pools, docks, marinas, kelp forests, and boats. We had at some point of suboptimal climate with an excessive amount of wind for in depth outside work, however by then we actually had sufficient materials to maintain us busy indoors.
Sampling strategies: Snorkelling, from boat, hand decide within the intertidal, utilizing a (small!) seize, sieving and amassing from piers and marinas. Images: Ok. Kongshavn
In complete, there have been 14 of us, unfold throughout the lighthouse and two flats.
The lab area was arrange for fungi within the lighthouse, whereas the 2 flats have been house to “group cnidarians & ctenophores” and “group benthos” (polychaetes, snails, bryozoans, and amphipods). Sorting, identification, images, and documentation came about, with samples migrating between labs as we found fascinating finds.
A few of our collected animals, a screenshot from the dealing of samples by way of WhatsApp, and a pattern being sorted. Fotos: Ok. Kongshavn
We additionally had a pleasant go to from the Norwegian Biodiversity Info Centre (Artsdatabanken), who joined us for fieldwork and lab actions. Keep tuned for a information article—we’ll share the hyperlink when it’s out there.
A giant thanks to everybody for his or her nice attitudes, willingness to share information, samples, and boat time, in addition to for all of the scrumptious meals made and enjoyable recollections created!
Hold a watch out for posts from the completely different initiatives within the close to future!
–Katrine (on behalf of the vacationers)