Facilities for botanical research in the circumpolar arctic-subarctic zone

Abstract

The era of explorers' expeditions gave us a primary survey of the distribu­tion of organisms in the north. In order to achieve a more profound under­standing of the function of the ecosystem and the adaptation of life permanent sites, meteorological stations and laboratories for experimental research will be required. The period of field stations started as late as the Second World War. Northern Europe has the densest network of field stations. During the IBP period many new stations were established through­out the circumpolar arctic and subarctic areas. There are hundreds of camps used temporarily for biological sampling and ecological work but without permanent facilities. A map of the field stations is presented, which, how­ever, does not cover the camps temporarily used, nor the big University Centres, although these are actively engaged in exploring these arctic and subarctic problems.