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Möller, M., Möller, R., Beaudon, É., Mattila, O.-P., Finkelnburg, R., Braun, M., Grabiec, M., Jonsell, U., Luks, B., Puczko, D., Scherer, D. and Schneider, C., 2011. Snowpack characteristics of Vestfonna and De Geerfonna (Nordaustlandet, Svalbard) - a spatiotemporal analysis based on multiyear snow-pit data. Geografiska Annaler, Series A: Physical Geography, 93, 273-285. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0459.2011.00440.x ABSTRACT Extensive glaciological field measurements were carried out on the ice cap Vestfonna as well as on the minor ice body De Geerfonna (Nordaustlandet, Svalbard) within the framework of IPY Kinnvika. Field campaigns were conducted during the period 2007-2010 in spring (April/May) and summer (August). In this study we compile and present snow cover information obtained from 22 snow pits that were dug on Vestfonna during this period. Locations are along two transects on the northwestern, land terminating slope of the ice cap, on its central summit, Ahlmann Summit, and at a set of several other locations in the eastern and northern part of the ice cap. Snow-cover information acquired from four snow pits on adjacent De Geerfonna is also incorporated in this study. Field data are analysed regarding snow stratigraphy, snow density, snow hardness and snow temperature. Results reveal mean snow densities of around 400 kg m−3 for the snowpack of Vestfonna with no apparent spatial or interannual variability. A distinctly higher value of more than 450 kg m−3 was obtained for De Geerfonna. A spatial comparison of snow water equivalents above the previous end-of-summer surface serves for obtaining insights into the spatial distribution of snow accumulation across Vestfonna. Altitude was found to be the only significant spatial parameter for controlling snow accumulation across the ice cap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coulson, S.J., Fjellberg, A., Snazell, R., Gwiazdowicz, D.J., and Ávila-Jiménez, M.L., 2011. On the Collembola, Araneae and Gamasida from the Kinnvika region of Nordaustlandet, Svalbard. Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography, 93, 253-257. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-0459.2011.00425.x ABSTRACT The Collembola, Araneae and gamasid mite fauna from the vicinity of Kinnvika on the island of Nordaustlandet in the Svalbard archipelago are described. Few records of the invertebrate fauna from this remote and climatically extreme region exist. Twenty-four species of Collembola were identified, of which three were new records for Nordaustlandet. None were new records for Svalbard. In addition, seven species of Araneae, three of which were new records for Nordaustlandet, and five species of gamasid mite, all new to Nordaustlandet, were collected. All invertebrates collected were already known from locations on the west coast of Spitsbergen. These records supplement the scarce current terrestrial invertebrate data for this region and contribute towards the baseline data for this region proposed to become an Arctic environmental reference area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]