Bioforsk Svanhovd

Location
 
Bioforsk Svanhovd is a research station located in the Pasvik area in Northern Norway (69° 28’ N, 30° 03’ E), above the Arctic Circle and in close proximity to Russia and Finland. Bioforsk Svanhovd is 40 km inland from the fjords of the Barents Sea.
 

Climate
 
Mean temperature in January: -13°C
Mean temperature in July: +14°C
Mean annual precipitation: < 400 mm
 
This according to 30 year’s normal, however, there are changes during the last 15 years.
 
 
Biodiversity
 
The Pasvik area is a part of the western distribution limit of the Russian taiga. The area is recognized by a mixture zone of eastern and western species of flora and fauna. The area includes old growth pine forest, wetlands, lakes, and rivers. The fauna and flora has a strong eastern influence, with many species not found in other places of Europe, e.g. a very interesting flora of aquatic plants. Other ecosystems, such as mountain birch forest and tundra, seashore and fjords are easily accessible from Svanhovd by car.
 
 
Human Dimension
 
Nature tourism, agriculture, dairy farming, reindeer husbandry, fishing, hunting, forestry, mining and research.
 
 
Species performance
 
Most groups of organisms in the area are very little studied. Many still unknown species in certain taxa.  The area is also fund to be the northern most distribution of several species. The area is having several alien (invading) species.
 
 
General Research
 
Svanhovd is part of Bioforsk - Norwegian Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research. Bioforsk Svanhovd works with issues related to nature resources, protected areas, biological diversity and environmental research in the Barents Region. Some work on agricultural issues is also carried out. Each year, Svanhovd’s DNA-lab analyses all samples collected in the national monitoring program of brown bear in Norway.
 
 
Existing Data Bases
 
Small mammals, muskrat, water birds, Brown bear genetic registry, phenological observations, and climate data.
 

History
 
Svanhovd was established in 1934 as a government demonstration farm, to provide expertise and aid to the settlers of the Pasvik valley. A change of activity at Svanhovd in the early 90´s, towards environmental research, was motivated in part by the growing industrial problems in Russia. In particular, the smelters at the Russian city Nikel, located only 9 km from Svanhovd (air distance), were, and still are, a major environmental concern. In 1993, Svanhovd Environmental Centre was established, and in 2001 Svanhovd obtained authorization as a Visitor center for Øvre Pasvik National Park. In 2006 Svanhovd Environmental Centre became a part of Bioforsk.
 
 
Facilities
 
Bioforsk Svanhovd has a Conference apartment that offers accommodation for 50 people (single and double). All rooms have private bathrooms and guests are free to use Svanhovd fireplace, TV lounge, sauna and laundry room. The conference center offers various rooms for meetings and conferences: Auditorium with a capacity of 80 persons, a large meeting room for 10 to 30 people and a small meeting room.

 
Laboratory
 
The laboratory at Bioforsk Svanhovd has facilities for microbiological, chemical-physical and DNA-analysis. The laboratory is accredited for water analysis and DNA analysis of brown bears following the standard ISO17025. There are also facilities of simple field labs at Svanhovd.
 
 
Transportation
 
Airplane from the National airport of Norway; Oslo (Gardermoen) to Kirkenes Høybuktmoen takes you about 2 hours travel time, then 40 minutes by car (43 km) to Svanhovd (road 885). Taxi or rental car is available at the airport of Kirkenes.