Czech Arctic Research Station of Josef Svoboda

The Czech research facilities in Svalbard consist of a research base in Longyearbyen called “Payer’s house” and a field camp in the central part of Svalbard in Billefjorden (called Nostoc houses). Field activities are mainly taking place in Petuniabukta in the northernmost part of Billefjorden.

The station in Longyaerbyen was established in 2013. Accommodation is available for up to 16 people, and the station further includes laboratories for standard laboratory work. During the summer season, a field camp located ca. 6 km north of the settlement, Pyramiden, is used. The huts can accommodate up to 12 persons and are equipped with a small laboratory, kitchen, and shared bedrooms. Communication is ensured with VHF radios and satellite phones. Three zodiacs are used for transportation in the Billefjorden area. From 2015 a 15 m motor-sailer (for up to 10 persons, four overnight) will be available.

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.

The station is located in Longyearbyen with a predominantly Norwegian population of c. 2100 inhabitants. Historically, the population was employed in fishery, hunting, and whaling, later in the coal mining industry. Today, tourism is becoming the main business. The field camp is near the old mining town of Pyramiden, an area with strong Russian influence.

There are regular commercial flights to Longyearbyen (3 hours from Oslo). To reach the field camp, local cruising companies organise tourist trips to Pyramiden approximately 5 km from the field camp. It usually takes 5-6 hours to reach Pyramiden from Longyearbyen. There is also the possibility of renting a boat in Longyearbyen from a private company. Reaching the station in a rubber boat requires good weather conditions and calm sea. Distance from Logyearbyen is c. 60 km by boat.