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Learning Arctic Biology
e-Learning portal for Arctic Biology
What are bryophytes?
Life cycle of bryophytes
Diversity of bryophytes
Bryophyte habitats
Bryophyte adaptations and constraints
Ecosystem role of bryophytes
Bryophytes as environmental indicators
What are bryophytes?
Life cycle of bryophytes
Diversity of bryophytes
Bryophyte habitats
Bryophyte adaptations and constraints
Ecosystem role of bryophytes
Bryophytes as environmental indicators
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The Arctic terrestrial system
Introduction to the Arctic
Definition of the Arctic and main study system
Focus Area: Svalbard
Global context
The origin and development of the Arctic biome
Arctic – a young biome with a dramatic history
Ancestors of Arctic flora and fauna
Ancient DNA reveal history
Diversification of Arctic flora and fauna during the Pleistocene
LGM and postglacial migration
Biogeography of invertebrates
Biogeography of bryophytes
Environmental factors, habitats and communities
Climate, topography and spatial heterogeneity
Bedrock, soil development and soil disturbance
Nutrient input
Succession gradients
Current status of freshwater systems in Svalbard
Arctic Freshwater Habitats
Species and Adaptations
Microbes
Microbiology in the Arctic
Viruses
Bacteria
Archaea
Microbial eukaryotes
What enviroment do microbes encounter in the Arctic?
Fungi
What is a fungus?
Systematics of fungi
Fungi in the Arctic Environment
Saprotrophic fungi
Parasitic fungi
Mutualistic fungi
Fungi in Svalbard
Bryophytes
What are bryophytes?
Life cycle of bryophytes
Diversity of bryophytes
Bryophyte habitats
Bryophyte adaptations and constraints
Ecosystem role of bryophytes
Bryophytes as environmental indicators
Vascular plants
Diversity and characteristics
Arctic plant habitats
Adaptations for Arctic conditions
Reproductive adaptations to seasonality
Dispersal and establishment
The insects and their relatives
The insects and other creepy-crawlies of Svalbard: the ‘invertebrates’
Invertebrate habitats in Svalbard
The freshwater invertebrates of Svalbard
Ecosystem functions – Invertebrates
Invertebrate lifecycles in the Arctic
Adaptations for Arctic conditions
Climate change and polar invertebrates
Colonisation of Svalbard by the invertebrate fauna
The tricky business of identifying invertebrates
Inventory of Svalbard species
Birds and mammals
The Svalbard reindeer
The Svalbard rock ptarmigan
Arctic geese
Energy flow, nutrient flow and trophic interactions
Plant-invertebrate interactions
Pollinators and their importance in the Arctic environment
Plant-invertebrate interactions
Soil-invertebrate decomposers
The Arctic terrestrial system
Introduction to the Arctic
Definition of the Arctic and main study system
Focus Area: Svalbard
Global context
The origin and development of the Arctic biome
Arctic – a young biome with a dramatic history
Ancestors of Arctic flora and fauna
Ancient DNA reveal history
Diversification of Arctic flora and fauna during the Pleistocene
LGM and postglacial migration
Biogeography of invertebrates
Biogeography of bryophytes
Environmental factors, habitats and communities
Climate, topography and spatial heterogeneity
Bedrock, soil development and soil disturbance
Nutrient input
Succession gradients
Current status of freshwater systems in Svalbard
Arctic Freshwater Habitats
Species and Adaptations
Microbes
Microbiology in the Arctic
Viruses
Bacteria
Archaea
Microbial eukaryotes
What enviroment do microbes encounter in the Arctic?
Fungi
What is a fungus?
Systematics of fungi
Fungi in the Arctic Environment
Saprotrophic fungi
Parasitic fungi
Mutualistic fungi
Fungi in Svalbard
Bryophytes
What are bryophytes?
Life cycle of bryophytes
Diversity of bryophytes
Bryophyte habitats
Bryophyte adaptations and constraints
Ecosystem role of bryophytes
Bryophytes as environmental indicators
Vascular plants
Diversity and characteristics
Arctic plant habitats
Adaptations for Arctic conditions
Reproductive adaptations to seasonality
Dispersal and establishment
The insects and their relatives
The insects and other creepy-crawlies of Svalbard: the ‘invertebrates’
Invertebrate habitats in Svalbard
The freshwater invertebrates of Svalbard
Ecosystem functions – Invertebrates
Invertebrate lifecycles in the Arctic
Adaptations for Arctic conditions
Climate change and polar invertebrates
Colonisation of Svalbard by the invertebrate fauna
The tricky business of identifying invertebrates
Inventory of Svalbard species
Birds and mammals
The Svalbard reindeer
The Svalbard rock ptarmigan
Arctic geese
Energy flow, nutrient flow and trophic interactions
Plant-invertebrate interactions
Pollinators and their importance in the Arctic environment
Plant-invertebrate interactions
Soil-invertebrate decomposers
Gallery – some images of the fauna
Gallery – some images of the fauna
The springtails (Collembola)
Ceratophysella longispina, Adventdalen 15.07.2009, A.Fjellb.
Desoria tshernovi, Longyearbyen 15.07.2009, A.Fjellb.
Sminthurides malmgreni (dark red), Arrhopalites pricipalis (A. Fjellberg)
Sminthurinus concolor (A. Fjellberg)
Lepidocyrtus lignorum, Longyearbyen 15.07.2009, A.Fjellb.
Folsomia quadrioculata (above), F. sexoculata (below) (A. Fjellberg)
The mites (Acari).
The oribatid mite Diapterobates notatus.
Neomolgus littoralis
Dermanyssus hirundinis from nests of snow buntings
Thinoseuis spinosus
Thinoseuis spinosus hitchhiking on a fly,
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Published on 25th August 2026
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