On Spitsbergen, we are studying combined effects of goose grazing and global warming on an arctic tundra. The project is called FRAGILE and is financed by the European Community. Maarten Loonen visited the field site and made the following report.

Index to this page:	[applying the grazing treatment]	[measuring plants]

	Applying the grazing treatment The vegetation plots have to be grazed for one or five hours. Moving the geese to the vegetation plot is a whole operation. Here you can see Theresa Walther and Dries Kuijper performing their daily routine. The geese are placed on a platform and carried to the plot. We are not touching the geese, so they don't get afraid. On the roof of the cage there is a blanket. The geese are much more quiet under this roof than when there was just netting above them. Click on the links below, to see small movies: video 1: carrying the geese to the plot video 2: moving the geese on the plot video 3: goose grazing on the plot

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Measuring plants There are lots of measurements to do on the manipulated plots. In the next pictures you can see several people examining the vegetation, taking measurements and taking notes. Place the pointer on the picture for some more information.

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