Introduction

Blue glacier ice (H: 4 m), fulmar in sunset, sea ice in Kongsfjorden © Marte Lundberg

ARCTOS, an International Network for Marine Ecology in the Arctic

ARCTOS is a consortium of scientists in Arctic marine productivity and ecology founded by Akvaplan-niva AS (APN), The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS), Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) and The University of Tromsų (UoT: Norwegian College of Fishery Science (NCFS) and Faculty of Science).

The goal of the ARCTOS Network is to build a leading research group in Arctic marine ecology in Europe. Marine ecology has always been strong in Tromsų and Longyearbyen, but has been fragmented and with little co-operation between research groups. After an invitation from Stig Falk-Petersen (NPI) and Paul Wassmann (NCFS) in 2001, scientists from APN, UNIS, NPI and NCFS-UoT agreed to create a research network to increase co-operation on research, utilization of infrastructure, outreach activities and teaching. In 2002 regular monthly meetings between students and scientists were initiated to facilitate communication on scientific topics as well as planning and strategic issues. By 2003, ARCTOS became a viable structure with a virtual PhD school, and workshops and symposia as well as several joint research projects awarded by The Research Council of Norway (RCN) and European Union. In 2004 the formal structure was strengthened by the official approval of ARCTOS by APN, UNIS, NPI and UoT, and a board was formed with representatives from each institute. In early 2005, the UoT awarded the ARCTOS PhD-school to the Department of Aquatic BioSciences (NCFS), and in summer 2005 the Tromsų department of the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) joined the network.

Today ARCTOS is a leading network within Arctic marine ecology, running the PhD school, producing a high scientific production rate (i.e. publications), maintaining and strengthening an already large international contact network, and with access to world-class infrastructure to conduct leading edge Arctic research. ARCTOS members have distinguished themselves within university education, government advice, and private consultancy and are responsible for many large ongoing basic research projects. The network also initiates and conducts applied science for industry and government policy-makers, as well as outreach elements towards education and the arts through the ARCTOS Applied Science Forum (AASF).

Steering committee 

Paul Wassmann (NCFS) chairperson, Stig Falk-Petersen (NPI) deputy chairperson, Salve Dahle (APN),  Ketil Eiane (UNIS) and Morten Hald (UoT).

ARCTOS elements