Czech Arctic Research Station of Josef Svoboda - Svalbard and Jan Mayen

The Czech Arctic Research Station of Josef Svoboda is situated in the High Arctic. The mean annual temperature is -6 °C, and the mean annual precipitation is 150-200 mm. Petuniabukta, where the field camp is located, is in the central part of the Svalbard archipelago, which is more continental and drier than the western part. There is a steep elevation gradient in the area (the highest mountains reach 1000 m a.s.l.). Various habitats can be accessed within walking distance in the study area, i.e. sandy beaches, waterlogged tundra, seepages, dry tundra, bird cliffs, lakes, snow-melt and glacial streams, glaciers, etc. Rich wildlife, incl. gulls, kittiwakes, terns, barnacle geese, eiders, reindeer, arctic foxes, and polar bears are present as well. Research mainly focuses on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. Relatively long research records on plant ecology, phycology, parasitology, and bioclimatology exist. Today, studies on geomorphology and hydrology are developing in the area. Regular meteorological measurements were established in 2007.