Distribution of marine, benthic macro-organisms at Svalbard ...

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Compare the data from Svalbard and Jan Mayen with data from other areas, especially the
Norwegian coast.
2. Supply the database with additional data:
- from areas (zones) where few data are available
- physical data (bottom types/sediments, hydrography)
The preliminary statistical analyses of data, especially community-analysis/cluster-analysis
indicate that additional data would give more information.
3. Evaluate the importance of long-term changes in selected areas (importance of suspected
community-changes due to change in ocean-climate).
4. Pin-point areas with unique fauna in the Svalbard area. Much can be done with the present
data. (Will give information about areas of special interest.)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the following institutions and persons:
Financial support: The Directorate for Nature Management, the University Courses of
Svalbard (UNIS), the University of Tromsø, Akvaplan-niva and the Norwegian Polar
Institute.
Logistic support: Divemaster Bjørnar Seim (University of Tromsø) and the crews of the
research vessels «Johan Ruud», «Jan Mayen» and «Lance».
Scientific advice and/or permission to use unpublished data: Professor Torleif Holthe
(University of Trondheim), professor Jan Rueness (University of Oslo), professor Wim Vader
(University of Tromsø) and Dr. Tom Pearson (Akvaplan-niva).
We would also like to thank B.Sc. Sabine Cochrane (Akvaplan-niva) for a useful review and
linguistic improvement of the manuscript, and Claudia Wolter (University of Goettingen) for
assistance with the literature search.
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