Svalbard Infographics
FAUNA + FLORA
Part of a Masters Degree in Extreme Environments at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts
What gives Svalbard such a unique and diverse flora, is its key position in regards to warm ocean currents. The West Spitsbergen Current (WSC) brings warm water up from the Atlantic Ocean which spills into the inner fjords.
Another reason for such a diverse flora is the extensive bird life on Svalbard. Due to their large flocking areas on cliffs, the area beneath them receive large amounts of bird excrement, which acts as fertilizer for plant life.
The flora, as well as the fauna, is very resillient for survivig in such harsh climates, and has developped the necessary defense mechanisms to adapt to the environment.
One of Svalbard defining features making it stand out from other Arctic areas, is its vaste Fauna. Highlighted is a selection of animals that live either permanently or not on the archipelagio. The fauna was chosen for its key role in Svalbard's ecosystem but also for its major population shifts over the past 30 years.
The main circular graph's top part is dedicated to four categories with two animals per category: Terrestrial Mammals with the Svalbard Reindeer and the Arctic Fox, Marine Mammals with the Polar Bear and the Harp seal, Fish with the Arctic Cod and the Capelin, and finally Birds with the Rock Ptarmigan and The Brunnich’s Guillemot.
The lower part of the infographic focuses in on more specifics of various species, higlighting some key facts and identifying important trends.
