An Expedition to the Svalbard

Arctic ecosystems are in a critical situation. They could disappear within 25 to 50 years, as a result of climate change. For scientists, it becomes imperative to study and understand this milieu that we barely yet know. Only 20% of the Spitsbergen territory has been studied with regards to biodiversity.

Jean-Michel Bichain is a biologist. With his students, he will lead an expedition to these remote areas. During 3 weeks, the objective is to gather a maximum of information on the local flora and fauna. Braving the cold, walking for hours, they scan the land looking for its smallest inhabitants, the veritable workers of the ecosystems. Biodiversity is not only the polar bear, the tiger and the orangutan. It’s also a cohort of animals with less of a popular sympathy appeal, like bacteria, insects and worms. In these extreme climates, they will need courage and numerous adaptations in order to confront the terrible polar nights. The few weeks that make up summer represent the only window of time favorable to growth, reproduction, and preparation for the next terribly cold winter.