The Iceland Expedition will return to Iceland for the 12th year running this summer. A brand new team of six students will help to continue building on a twelve-year relationship with Skálanes Nature and Heritage Centre in the East fjord region of Iceland. The reserve is a 1250 hectare area of spectacular geography and geology, and is home to 47 species of birds as well as numerous mammalian species such as arctic foxes, which the Expedition will be studying for the first time this year.

Four research projects will be carried out in the summer of 2020 and will focus on establishing baseline data on the local arctic fox population, investigating plastic pollution in birds, and the affects of weather on the behaviour of Atlantic puffins. In addition to this research, all students will continue monitoring of the local black-legged kittiwake and northern fulmar colonies. All data collected during the expedition will be made available to other researchers via the INTERACT database, where it will be used to broaden scientific understanding and inform conservation efforts.

We hope the research we carry out during our stay will help with both the long-term and short-term conservation efforts at Skálanes, and anywhere else the species we are studying may live. In addition, we hope that in sharing our learning and experiences in Iceland, we will spread awareness of the value of sub-Arctic ecosystems, and inspire more people to take action to protect them. Please follow our blog to keep up with interesting information about Iceland, it’s wildlife, and our research!