Monitoring activities at Ny-Ålesund Research Station (new)

Ny-Ålesund serves as a key reference site for long-term climate and environmental monitoring. Over the years, a range of national and international research institutions with a sustained presence in the area have collected valuable time series data, making Ny-Ålesund one of the most important Arctic research stations.

This webpage is designed to provide researchers with streamlined access to information about the various monitoring activities conducted in Ny-Ålesund. The data presented here is extracted from the thematic layer Ny-Ålesund Research in Svalbardkartet—commonly referred to as the Ny-Ålesund GIS.

Users can explore available monitoring data by filtering observed variables using GCMD (Global Change Master Directory) keywords. The search process involves selecting a Topic, followed by a Term, and finally an Observed Variable. For more detailed information about the underlying data model and structure, please refer to the section below.

Power BI report included here…

The complete dataset is also accessible directly through Svalbardkartet. For guidance on how to search and filter the data effectively, a quick user guide is available here.

Definition of monitoring activities

Institutions with long-term research activities in Ny-Ålesund have been asked to identify which of their research objects and observed variables qualify as part of their institutional monitoring efforts in the area. This classification is based on three criteria established by NySMAC:

1. Time Series Length
   Monitoring typically involves time series data extending beyond five years. However, shorter series may also qualify if the data is considered particularly valuable. Institutions should indicate their intention to continue collecting these measurements over time.
2. Quality and Standards
   The data must meet high-quality standards, follow consistent and well-documented methodologies, and preferably be compatible with international standards. A clearly defined data collection protocol is essential to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of the data.
3. Open Access
   To support collaborative research and transparency, the data should be openly accessible in standard formats and made available in a timely manner for use by the wider research community.

The full report, which provides an overview of all identified monitoring activities, can be downloaded here.