| Title | Coastal processes and their influence upon discharge characteristics of the Strokdammane Plain, West Spitsbergen, Svalbard |
| Author | Akerman, H.J. |
| Author Affil | Akerman, H.J., Lund University, Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystems Analysis, Sweden |
| Source | International Conference on Permafrost (ICOP) Proceedings, Vol.9, p.19-24, ; Ninth international conference on Permafrost, Fairbanks, AK, June 29-July 3, 2008, edited by D.L. Kane and K.M. Hinkel. Publisher: [publisher varies], [location varies], International |
| Publication Date | 2008 |
| Notes | In English. 29 refs. GeoRef Acc. No: 285557 |
| Index Terms | animals; river basins; ecology; ecosystems; geomorphology; hydrology; ice; lakes; lake ice; lake water; meltwater; plains; shores; snow; storms; surface waters; vegetation; water balance; Spitsbergen-- Spitsbergen Island; Arctic region; assemblages; biota; coastal environment; discharge; drainage basins; Fyrsjoen Lake; Kapp Linne Svalbard; lake-level changes; sea ice; shorelines; Spitsbergen; Spitsbergen Island; Strokdammane Plain; surface water; Svalbard |
| Abstract | Changes in Arctic sea ice conditions have affected conditions ashore along the west coast of Svalbard. Effects upon the discharge characteristics of a drainage basin close to the seashore are discussed. The area studied lies on the strandflat plain, south of Kapp Linne (78°04'N, 13°38'E). The anomalous discharge pattern of the Fyrsjoen Lake catchment area is described. Some years the outlet is blocked by ice-cemented storm ridges, delaying the spring peak flow several weeks and raising the lake level dramatically. Vast areas are flooded, affecting snowmelt, vegetation, and breeding birds of the area. The lake is then tapped during a few days with heavy flow after which the discharge pattern returns to normal. This process is not unique, but rather common along the west coast of Spitsbergen. The special hydrographic and discharge conditions have an influence on the active layer, the permafrost, the vegetation, and the bird colonies of the area. |
| URL | http://www.blue-europa.org/nicop_proceedings/1%20Vol%201%20(i-250).pdf |
| Publication Type | conference paper or compendium article |
| Record ID | 62005815 |