ADDRESS Abisko Naturvetenskapliga Station, ANS (Abisko Scientific Research Station) SE-981 07 Abisko Telephone: +46 - (0)980 - 400 21 Office +46 - (0)980 - 400 39 Guests +46 - (0)980 - 401 71 Telefax E-mail to ANS: ans@ans.polar.se LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT The station is situated at Abisko (68°21'N,18°49'E), about 200 km north of the Arctic Circle and approximately 385 m above sea level, on the south shore of Lake Torneträsk. The area has a varied topography, geomorphology, geology and climate, as well as flora and fauna. The lake surface is at 341 m and the highest mountain in the area reaches 1991 m. Lake Torneträsk with an area of about 330 km², a catchment area of 3 300 km² and a mean depth of 52 m, dominates the area. The average annual temperature is approximately −1.0°C. July is the warmest month (mean about +11°C) and January the coldest (−12°C). Annual precipitation at the lake varies from about 1000 mm in the west to 400 mm in the east, with a minimum of 304 mm (among the lowest in all Scandinavia) in the sheltered Abisko valley. <--Top Approximately 60 percent of the catchment basin is below the treeline.The vegetation is extremely varied, ranging from the simple communities that follow retreating glaciers to more complex mountain birch forest ecosystems. The station is situated in a 46-hectar nature reserve (established in 1982) close to the Abisko National Park (established in 1909), which covers 75km². Tourist seasons are in late winter,spring and summer. At other times, the area is sparsely populated. Most buildings are near the railway and the highway. <--Top ADMINISTRATION Abisko Scientific Research Station belongs to and is administered by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Activities are supervised by a director and an advisory board representing the biological and geoscientific disciplines as well as the local community. The permanent staff consists of scientific and technical personnel. HISTORY AND PURPOSE The history of the Abisko Scientific Research Station dates back to 1903 when the first field station was established in the Torneträsk area. Since 1935 it has been under the auspices of The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The objective of the station is: "to provide Swedish and foreign visiting scientists with the opportunity of conducting scientific work based on the specific conditions of the environment surrounding the station and also to conduct such research with its own personnel". The Station hosts the Climate Impacts Research Centre, the MAB Lake Torne Biosphere Reserve project office and SCANTRAN secritariat. The station is also used for teaching, symposia and other scientific meetings. CURRENT RESEARCH Investigations within many areas of biosciences and geosciences are carried out at the station. The emphasis of staff research is on plant ecology and meteorology. The main objectives of the ecological projects are to study the dynamics of plant populations and to identify the controlling factors at their latitudinal and altitudinal limits. The meteorological projects deal with recent climate changes in the region, and also with local variations of the microclimate in subalpine and alpine ecosystems. <--Top FACILITIES The station consists of new or recently renovated buildings and is kept open throughout the year. The 37 workrooms and laboratories cover a total area of 1000 m², including for example, chemistry, radio- and geolaboratories, microscopy, drawing and computer rooms, an integral greenhouse, a darkroom and a growth room. Cold rooms (−30°C −5°C +5°C) and rooms with balances and drying ovens (for biological materials,soil samples etc.) are also available. Near the meteorological observatory, there are two experimental gardens, measuring approximately 5 by 10 m and 10 by 10 m. The laboratories contain general equipment, such as basic chemicals and instruments, as well as more specialized equipment, for example, for eco-physiological and meteorological research. Currently updated lists of equipment and material that can be used by visiting scientists, some free of charge, others only available after special agreement. The lecture hall can accomodate 60 people. In the same building, there is a reference collection room and two laboratories intended mainly for teching. The workshop is equipped for all of the usual work with metal, wood, plastic and paint and for the repair and maintenance of cars and other motor vehicles. <--Top ACCOMMODATION Accommodation is available in 28 rooms with 2 beds, 6 rooms with 4 beds and in two family apartments. A lounge, excercise room, guest lockers, drying rooms, saunas and fully equipped kitchens and dining rooms for self-catering are also available. A larger kitchen and a dining room for approximately 50 people are intended mainly for conferences and courses. The station can provide meals, but not under normal circumstances, and only for short periods. Meals are obtainable during the tourist season at the tourist hotels and guest houses (within a 10-15 minute walk). At the meteorological observatory, continuous records of meteorological variables have been made for more than 80 years. There are 5 small field research cabins in both subalpine and alpine environments within distances of 10-30 km from Abisko. A boat operating on Lake Torneträsk can hold 12 people. It is equipped with an echo sounder. Reference material not available at the station can be ordered by the staff from the university libraries. APPLICATION Application for accommodation and working space should be submitted to the station and should include a brief plan of the precise nature of the research, the desired time shedule, personal particulars and a degree certificate. Application for the summer season must be submitted no later than 1 April. Read more >> ABISKO MAP <--Top