The little auk Alle alle polaris of Franz Josef Land: a comparison with Svalbard Alle a. alle populations

Breeding biology, nestling growth and development, and biometry of the little auk Alle alle polaris were studied in Franz Josef Land. A total of 103 adult birds were measured, 60 in the field and 43 in the St. Petersburg Museum. The development of 16 chicks was compared with that of Alle a. alle chicks from Spitsbergen. At particular stages of development, both adults and nestlings of A. a. polaris are larger than those of A. a. alle .
In Franz Josef Land the breeding season is more extended and less synchronised than that of Svalbard. The majority of the little auks in the studied colonies in Franz Josef Land nested on steep rocky cliffs, possibly as an adaptation to the severe climatic conditions and heavy mammalian predation in subcolonies located on accessible mountain slopes. Glaucous gulls Larus hyperboreus exerted negligible predatory pressure. This study confirms the existence of morphologically distinguishable populations of the little auk on Franz Josef Land and Svalbard, supported by recent studies of climatic and oceanographic conditions in the two areas that parallel the morphological differentiation.     

Summer diet of seabirds from the Frans Josef Land archipelago, Russian Arctic

Food samples from 102 seabirds from eight species (fulmar Fulmarus glacialis , common eider Somateria mollissima , glaucous gull Larus hyperboreus , kittiwake Rissa tridaayla , arctic tern Sterna paradisaea , Briinnich's guillemot Uria lorn via , black guillemot Cepphus grylle , little auk Alle alle) were collected during the period August 1991–1993 in the southern part of the Frans Josef Land archipelago, 80°N, 53°E. The pelagic amphipod Parathemisto libellula and polar cod Boreogadus saida were the two most commonly taken food items (frequency of occurrence over 50% and weight contribution more than 70%). Ice-associated crustaceans contributed to some 10% of the weight in the samples. In general, the food composition was very similar to that reported from Svalbard. However, birds from Frans Josef Land fed on a lower diversity of prey compared to Svalbard populations.     

The diet of high-arctic seabirds in coastal and ice-covered, pelagic areas near the Svalbard archipelago

Food samples from six high-arctic seabird species were collected during spring and summer seasons between 1982 and 1990 in the Svalbard region. The material came from coastal localities on the island of Spitsbergen and the marginal ice zone in eastern Svalbard waters. Polar cod Boreogadus saida was the most frequently occurring prey in the ice-covered areas. Analysis of otoliths showed that most polar cod were one-or two-year olds. These year classes are known to associate with sea ice. Other ice-associated (sympagic) organisms, such as gammarid amphipods, were not found to be of high importance as prey for seabirds in the study area. However, the sea ice occurring in the area was mainly one year old. Such ice contains a less developed sympagic fauna than multi-year ice. The pelagic amphipod Parathemisto libellula , which is not sympagic but occurs in the water column, was also found to be an important prey in the marginal ice zone, especially for the Briinnich's guillemot Uria lomuia . The smallest of the seabird species studied, the little auk Alle alle , differed from the other five species in its diet, preying mainly upon smaller items such as copepods and young stages of amphipods, euphausiids and decapods. The diet of the various seabird species was in general more diverse in the coastal areas than in the marginal ice zone.     

Archaeological Survey in the Foulke Fjord Region,Inglefield Land,Northwestern Greenland

Geografisk Tidsskrift—Danish Journal of Geography 110(2):297–314, 2010

The Inglefield Land Archaeology Project undertook archaeological survey of three areas of Foulke Fjord in 2006, during which 639 archaeological features were recorded, exclusive of the large Reindeer Point Longhouse site (Darwent et al., 2008). Basedon comparisons with surveys completed in Eastern Inglefield Land (Darwent et al., 2007), the density of features in Foulke Fjord substantially exceeded those from other regions of Inglefield Land. The most parsimonious explanation for the higher occurrence of features in this region is the presence of little auk colonies on the scree slopes of the inner fjords. These birds, which roost in the millions, served as a reliable summer food source, but their feces likely provided enrichment for the local ecosystem, increasing the numbers of terrestrial and marine fauna in the region. Based on excavations at Iita (Etah) and densities of features in the fiord, Foulke Fjord appears to have been continually occupied throughout the Thule-historic period (A.D. 1250–1953), and during the previous Late Dorset period (ca. A.D. 800–1250). However, features associated with the early Paleoeskimo period (2500–500 B.C.) are located only at the outer margins of the fjord.     

Heavy metals and macroelements in the tundra of southern Spitsbergen: the effect of little auk Alle alle (L.) colonies

Samples of two species of widely distributed mosses (Sanionia uncinata and Hylocomium splendens) were collected in the Ariekammen-Fuglebergct catchment area (Hornsund. Spitsbergen) within and outside little auk Alle alle (L.) colonies. The concentrations of Cd. Pb, Ni, Zn, Cu, Mn. Fe. N, P, and S in the moss samples were found to be 1.5-2 times higher within than outside the colonics. Significant differences were found for Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Fe, but not for Ni, Mn, N, P, and S. Sanionia uncinata accumulates up to 8 ug g⁻¹ d. wt Cd, 14-Pb, 8-Ni, 47-Zn, 9-Cu, 90-Mn, and 1920 u, g g⁻¹ d. wt Fe, while Hylocomium splendens accumulates up to 4 μg g⁻¹ d. wt Cd, 12-Pb, 3-Ni, 31-Zn, 5-Cu, fiO-Mn, and 840 μg g⁻¹ d. wt Fc. The colonics of seabirds contribute greatly to the supply of elements in the tundra ecosystems of southern Spitsbergen. The effect seems, however, to be limited to rather small areas.     

Ecological differences of south polar skua populations from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and eastern Larsemann Hills, Antarctica

A study has been done on the comparison of nesting and feeding behavior, population variances as well as breeding success between two populations of south polar skua (Catharacta maccormicki) from near Great Wall station on Fildes Peninsula and near Zhongshan station in Eastern Larsemann Hills, Antarctica. There are evident differences in their population ecology. The foraging habit is much related to regional ecosystem and food resources near their territorial area. Dependence on human food waste influences skua's diet,which considerably affects their behavior even population variation in both areas. The skuas in Zhongshan Station,could shorten and/or regulate the timing for their egg laying and hatching, and take precedence of one chick brooding, for keeping their breeding success, and subsequent species continuation.     

Availability of suitable land-fast ice and predation as factors limiting ringed seal populations, Phoca hispida, in Svalbard

We examined the stability of fast ice areas in western and northern Spitsbergen, the area north of Nordaustlandet, the bays and sounds of Hinlopen Stretet and the large area in the northern part of Storfjorden. NOAA satellite imagery from 1974 and 1988 and NOAA (AVHRR) imagery from 1980-87 were used to determine the dates of freeze-up and break-up. The number of days of fast ice present before the nominal birth date of ringed seal pups were computed for all major bays and fjords. Ice thickness was then computed from these data. Known prime breeding habitat in Svalbard is found in areas near glacier fronts in protected fjords and bays, where densities of birth lairs are 5.46 km⁻², corresponding to a ringed seal female density of 2.6 km⁻². Most of the ringed seal breeding habitat in Svalbard, however, consists of flat fjord ice where snow accumulation is rarely deep enough to permit birth lair construction. In these areas pups are often born in the open. Based on breathing hole densities, the density of adult females in the flat ice areas in the breeding period was estimated to 0.98 km⁻². A preliminary estimate is that approximately 19,500 pups could be born annually in the fast ice of Svalbard. Annual recruitment could be quite variable given the unpredictable nature of the fast ice areas and the high predation mortality on newborn pups. Discrepancies between our calculated ringed seal production and numbers of seals required to feed the large polar bear population in the area signal cause for management concern.     

Seasonality in an Arctic fjord ecosystem: Hornsund, Spitsbergen

Based on two complete years of marine ecological surveys (1981-82 and 1984-85) carried out in the Hornsund fjord on southern Spitsbergen (77N), the seasonal variation of physical and biological processes is presented. Physical parameters reflect the strong seasonality of sun radiation, while water salinity and temperature fluctuate within a narrow range. Concentrations of nutrients and suspended matter depend on meltwater discharge from glaciers and snow cover thickness. The breeding period of most marine invertebrate species is strongly related to the phytoplankton bloom which peaks in May. Ringed seal and polar bear occurrences are directly related to sea ice conditions. Both species are most numerous in Hornsund during March-April. Sea birds which nest in huge colonies along the Hornsund coasts arrive in April-May and leave by August-September except for Fulmars and Brünnich's Guillemots which were observed year-round.     

南极中山站附近麦氏贼鸥生态研究

1988年12月～1990年2月,在东南极拉斯曼丘陵南极中山站附近,对南极麦氏贼鸥的生态和生物学进行了观察。本文报道了麦氏贼鸥在该地区的栖息环境,活动规律,食性及繁殖生态等。     

Home-range sizes of social groups of Mongolian gerbils Meriones unguiculatus

Spacing behavior is important to the population regulation and social organization of rodents. However, little is known regarding the factors influencing space use by rodent social groups. We tested the hypotheses that food resources in the typical steppe would be so abundant that food availability would not be a limiting factor of home-range sizes of social groups of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). We also assessed the effects of social organization on the home-range size of social groups of gerbils, using capture-recapture methods. Home ranges of social groups of Mongolian gerbils did not differ in size between the breeding and non-breeding periods; however, home ranges overlapped more during the breeding period than during the non-breeding period. Overlap of home ranges might allow male gerbils to access female mates of neighboring colonies during the breeding period. Home-range sizes of social groups were positively related to number of males during the breeding period, but positively related to group size and number of females during the non-breeding period. Therefore, social organization influenced home-range sizes of social groups. Our hypothesis that food availability is not a limiting factor of space use by social groups of Mongolian gerbils from spring through autumn was supported.     

Trichinella sp. in polar bears from Svalbard, in relation to hide length and age

DiaPhragma and masseter muscles from 376 polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ), 252 ringed seals ( Phoca hispida ), 84 bearded seals ( Erignathus barbatus ), and 77 arctic foxes ( Alopex lagopus ) from Svalbard were examined for Trichinella . Infection rates in polar bears varied between 23 and 58%, and between 3 and 67% in arctic fox- None of tne seals were infected. Trichinella in polar bears is probably transferred through cannibalism and scavenging upon polar bear carcasses. Infection rate in arctic fox was high when they preyed upon polar bear carcasses before polar bear hunting was prohibited in 1973. A low infection rate seems more natural when such prey is not available. No difference could be found in infection rate between male and female polar bears. There is only a slight increase in infection rate with age, as calculated from hide lengths, and many adult animals remain uninfected. Geographical isolation of polar bear populations may explain differences in Trichinella infection rates between bears from arctic America and arctic Europe. Possible explanations are that discrete polar bear populations have different food habits, or that they are exposed to different Trichinella strains.     

我国极地航运能力建设和高冰级船队发展对策分析

我国在南极和北极的活动日益增多,参与南北极事务和争取极地资源的利用已经成为国家未来向外扩展的重要举措之一。随着气候变暖,极地冰融速度加快,尤其是北极航运窗口期越来越长,两极资源利用和科考活动的需求量越来越大。而目前我国用于航行两极,尤其是北极的高冰级商业化船队十分缺乏,航运的陆基支持保障能力缺少,这将严重影响我国极地事业和商业航运运营的发展。本文通过对不同冰级船舶的保有量、建造技术能力、船舶运营和极地港口设施等各环节的分析,得出我国缺乏带较高等级冰级符号且可抗浮冰厚度1m及以上的极地航行船舶、相应极地航运能力不足的结论,并提出了我国建设极地航运能力的对策建议,为我国建设一支能在极地航行且带较高等级冰级符号船舶的船队、破冰船队以及建设极地陆基航运支持保障能力等提供决策参考。     

Contrasting climate change in the two polar regions

The two polar regions have experienced remarkably different climatic changes in recent decades. The Arctic has seen a marked reduction in sea-ice extent throughout the year, with a peak during the autumn. A new record minimum extent occurred in 2007, which was 40% below the long-term climatological mean. In contrast, the extent of Antarctic sea ice has increased, with the greatest growth being in the autumn. There has been a large-scale warming across much of the Arctic, with a resultant loss of permafrost and a reduction in snow cover. The bulk of the Antarctic has experienced little change in surface temperature over the last 50 years, although a slight cooling has been evident around the coast of East Antarctica since about 1980, and recent research has pointed to a warming across West Antarctica. The exception is the Antarctic Peninsula, where there has been a winter (summer) season warming on the western (eastern) side. Many of the different changes observed between the two polar regions can be attributed to topographic factors and land/sea distribution. The location of the Arctic Ocean at high latitude, with the consequently high level of solar radiation received in summer, allows the ice-albedo feedback mechanism to operate effectively. The Antarctic ozone hole has had a profound effect on the circulations of the high latitude ocean and atmosphere, isolating the continent and increasing the westerly winds over the Southern Ocean, especially during the summer and winter.     

主要极地国家的极地科技体制探究——以美国、俄罗斯和澳大利亚为例

引领一国极地科学考察与研究的极地科技体制,已引起世界各国的广泛关注与重视。极地科技体制是指极地科学技术研究与管理的机构设置、职责范围、权属关系和管理方式的结构体系和组织架构,科学合理完善的极地科技体制是促进极地事业发展的前提和基础。文中重点研究分析了美国、俄罗斯和澳大利亚三个具有代表性极地国家的极地科技体制,并对上述三国的极地科技体制进行了概括总结,最后着眼于我国极地科技体制的现状,从学术和理论层面探讨了我国极地科技体制未来的改革方向,期待我国极地事业在"十三五"时期能够搭乘全面深化改革的便车实现跨越式发展,逐步形成适合我国国情并且相对完善的极地科技体制。     

南极中山站附近麦氏贼鸥食性研究

对东南极中山站附近麦氏贼鸥巢区和无巢贼鸥群栖地的贼鸥回吐渣团及其他食物残物进行收集、分析和鉴定 ,结果表明 ,本区麦氏贼鸥主要捕食雪　 ,其残物在食物项中的平均出现率为 6 7～ 80 %;同时贼鸥从本区几个考察站觅取人类遗弃的垃圾食物作为其重要的食物补充 ,垃圾食物的平均出现率为 6 .8～ 1 1 .6 %。不同巢区贼鸥对雪　的捕杀量和垃圾的需求差异较大 ,其主要与营巢地域的雪　分布密度以及摄食区的占有与否有关。     

南极普里兹湾沉积物中生物硅对粒度测量结果的影响

为了探讨生物硅对沉积物粒度测量结果的影响, 本文采用两种不同前处理方法对普里兹湾重力柱状样品进行了粒度测试。结果表明, 生物硅对沉积物的平均粒径以及黏土、粉砂、砂组分的影响较小, 而对沉积物的分选、偏态、峰态以及粒度频率分布的影响较显著。结合两组粒度组分相关性分析以及各粒级含量累积减小值, 认为生物硅对沉积物中砂、粉砂、黏土级组分含量的影响逐渐减小, 这也造成未去除生物硅的沉积物粒度测量结果偏粗。另外, 通过对比发现普里兹湾沉积物中生物硅粒径主要分布在<3Φ、5.25Φ—7.25Φ、8.75Φ—9.75Φ的粒径范围。极地研究中, 沉积物粒度结果为重建古环境变化提供重要参考, 本文研究认为在普里兹湾海域沉积物粒度研究中去除生物硅对研究结果有积极作用。     

Establishing chronologies from acid-insoluble organic 14C dates on antarctic (Ross Sea) and arctic (North Atlantic) marine sediments

To compare north and south polar marine paleoenvironments over the last 30,000 years, comparable chronological (radiocarbon) records must be developed and refined. Many areas in the polar regions do not preserve marine carbonates (foraminifera, mollusks), and thus age determinations, of necessity, are based on the acid-insoluble organic (AIO) fraction of the sediment. Although AIO ages are problematic and rarely used in the Arctic, they provide reasonable and consistent chronologies for the Ross Sea, Antarctica. AIO dates are meaningful in the Ross Sea because there are relatively high levels of productivity, good preservation of marine biogenic material in the sediment, and little input of terrigenous sediment and old/dead carbon. Event stratigraphy based upon proxy records of biogenic silica and δ¹³C can be used to assess the reliability of the AIO dates and surface age corrections. Reconstructed time-series of changes in the biogenic silica content of cores from the western Ross Sea show apparent similarities with the 'classic'deglacial climate sequence of the northern North Atlantic. Once the absolute ages of the antarctic AIO dates are constrained by independently dated records to validate surface age corrections, it will be possible to directly compare the timing of events such as ice-rafting events in the sedimentary record.     

极地海洋石油烃污染物的生物降解研究进展

随着南极考察活动的发展和北极地区的开发利用,极地海洋中的石油烃污染逐渐增多。由于这些地区常年处于低温状态,石油烃的自然降解非常缓慢。生物降解是修复污染的一个主要机制,具有经济、高效的特点。极地海洋环境中存在着大量烃降解菌,它们在清除当地石油烃污染中发挥了很大作用,并显现出了低温修复的潜力。本文从极地海洋环境中的石油烃降解菌、影响低温降解的因素、降解基因和低温生物修复四个方面介绍了国外对该领域的研究成果。     

OSM在极地GIS中的应用

随着开源网络地图服务Open Street Map(OSM)数据精度的提高和数据覆盖范围的扩大,其应用已逐渐渗透到各个领域,国内外专家学者对OSM的研究也不断地深入。为探究OSM在极地科考领域的应用实现,同时促进我国极地信息化事业的快速发展,从应用角度出发,论证了OSM在补充谷歌地图实现"雪龙在线"网络信息平台功能的可行性。实现了本地OSM全球地图数据库的建设,并在实现极地网络地图服务(WMS)功能基础之上提出多源空间数据的融合与可视化表达的技术路线,为极地海冰检测与动态变化研究提供了有利的支持,为极地主管部门决策的制定与实施提供了可靠的保障。     

Timing of breeding in free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs,Paraechinus aethiopicus,from Qatar

There is little information pertaining to the breeding behaviour and reproductive biology of free-ranging hedgehog populations outside of Europe. We monitored the seasonal changes in courtship behaviour and the presence of new young animals from a free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehog population in Qatar between 2010 and 2012. Based on frequencies of courtship behaviour and deduced frequencies of successful mating, the mating season of the Ethiopian hedgehog is believed to start in January and continue through until July with a clear peak during the February/March period. We propose the existence of two mating peaks, one in February/March and the second in June, suggesting that free-ranging Ethiopian hedgehogs breed more than twice a year in Qatar. Successful mating in late winter/early spring may be more important for the increasing the inclusive fitness of the parents based on the number of young individuals that survive beyond one month of age.