Sub-Arctic Flora and Fauna

The Tromso area (Troms county) is characterised by a subarctic climate (also called subpolar climate or boreal climate) defined by its long, usually very cold winters, and short, cool to mild summers. The sea moderates the cold of the long winters along the highly indented coastline. Local conditions also play their part in terms of altitude, aspect, exposure to warming and cooling winds, precipitation and rain shadows and varying amounts of snow cover and exposure to the sun. 


These conditions create considerable variation as we found out. In some places snow cover had disappeared at sea level whilst in others it persisted. It only took a short climb in altitude to also see a dramatic increase in snowcover in some places - the road to Gryllefjord from Finnsnes on Senja Island being a case in point.

The Troms area is characterised by ecosytems and vegetation of the so-called Middle and Northern Boreal variants.

 

In Troms the Middle Boreal (MB) is characteristic up to about 100m in altitude at which point the Northern Boreal (NB) takes over with more true Tundra-like conditions on the higher peaks which often have bare rock and permanent snow and ice cover on their northern flanks.

 

The classic tree of the Middle Boreal is the Norway Spruce but its recolonistation after the last Ice Age was halted by mountain belts north of Saltfjell in mid-Nordland, although it will grow further north if planted (for comparison see this page about the Beech gap on New Zealand's South Island).

 

The charateristic trees of the MB in Troms are Birch (often Downy Birch - Betula pubescensis) usually dominant in these northern areas, with some Scots Pine, Aspen, Rowan, bird cherry,  grey alder and low willows such as Salix glauca, S. lanata and S. lapponum and heath of juniper and other plants.

 

Some alpine plants grow in the MB zone and the understory is usually well developed in the sparse forest with examples such as  yellow bedstraw, raspberry, mugwort and Myrica gale, blueberry, common juniper, cloud berry, Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry or cowberry)

The Northern Boreal - which goes from about 100m to 400m in the Troms area - is characterised by sparse forests of mountain birch, a subspecies of downy birch and alpine plants.


The MB and NB areas of Troms mostly belong to the Scandinavian and Russian taiga PA0608 ecoregion which, with an area of 2,156,900 km² (832,800 mi²), is the biggest ecoregion in Europe. 

Other than what is pictured here the bird life was limited - mainly crows, hooded crows, magpies, great tits, something that looked like snow buntings in a flock that I couldn't approach, a ptarmigan in a snow field right by the road, a heron flying over Tromso.

 

In the water Black Backed Gulls, lots of Merganser/Goosander, another duck we didn't identify, Mallard, lots and lots of Eider Ducks, and another diver below.

 

I saw a fox but not an Arctic one.

One of a pair of Otters we spotted dashing up a steep incline to a tangle of rocks at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
One of a pair of Otters we spotted dashing up a steep incline to a tangle of rocks at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
One of a pair of Otters we spotted dashing up a steep incline to a tangle of rocks at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
One of a pair of Otters we spotted dashing up a steep incline to a tangle of rocks at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
The rocky incline on which we fleetingly saw two otters ascending from the sea at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
The rocky incline on which we fleetingly saw two otters ascending from the sea at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Otter scat (?) on the path between the rocky holt and the sea at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Otter scat (?) on the path between the rocky holt and the sea at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
We didn't see an an Elk but there were many signs for them if not of them. 35,000 are shot each year.
We didn't see an an Elk but there were many signs for them if not of them. 35,000 are shot each year.
Arctic Hare droppings? at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Arctic Hare droppings? at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Three reindeer on the road to Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Three reindeer on the road to Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Three habour porpoises spotted of the Lyngstuva at the north end of the Lyngen Peninsula. The 2008 Russian Norwegain report stated that they are subject to by-catch and that Barents Sea population will decline without immigration from outside the area.
Three dolphins spotted off the Lyngstuva at the north end of the Lyngen Peninsula. The 2008 Russian Norwegain report stated that porpoises are subject to by-catch and that Barents Sea population will decline without immigration from outside the area.
Sea Eagle labouring on a calm day looking for thermals at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea Eagle labouring on a calm day looking for thermals at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea Eagle soaring above Russelvfjellet (800m) at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea Eagle soaring above Russelvfjellet (800m) at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Tatty looking Golden Eagle on the road to Jøvik.
Tatty looking Golden Eagle after the long Arctic winter on the road to Jøvik.
Common Gulls at a district heating outflow by the sea-snow- dump in Tromsø.
Common Gulls at a district heating outflow by the sea-snow-dump in Tromsø.
Gulls (two types) in the snow at Senjacopen fish processing plant.
Gulls (two types) in the snow at Senjacopen fish processing plant.
Eider ducks of which we saw many at the Straumen Bridge on the way to Gyllefjord on Senja Island.
Eider ducks at the Straumen Bridge on the way to Gyllefjord on Senja Island.
Unidentified diver in the sea at Senja Island.
Unidentified diver in the sea at Senja Island.
Black Grouse in a tree on the road to Jøvik.
Black Grouse in a tree on the road to Jøvik.
Oyster Catcher on turf roof on the Sørfjorden on the long road to Jøvik in Troms county, Northern Norway.
Oyster Catcher on turf roof on the Sørfjorden on the long road to Jøvik in Troms county, Northern Norway.
Raven on wrack at Russelv beach at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Raven on wrack at Russelv beach at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Raven landing on the beach at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Raven landing on the beach at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea Urchin shell at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea Urchin shell at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Urchin with spines, at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Urchin with spines, at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea coral grass? at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Sea coral grass? at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Semi-denuded urchin at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Semi-denuded urchin at Russelv at the northern end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Shell and schist stone from Russelv shoreline. Could this be the accidentally introduced American Oyster Drill - Urosalpinx cinerea - that is the bane of oytser farmer's lives for it ability to drill into living oysters and access the soft inner parts?
Shell and schist stone from Russelv shoreline. Could this be the accidentally introduced American Oyster Drill - Urosalpinx cinerea - that is the bane of oytser farmer's lives for it ability to drill into living oysters and access the soft inner parts?
Fish bones on Russlev foreshore, probably Cod. 13th century Cod bones have recently been found in London excavations suggesting a rapid growth in impported stockfish from sub-arctic Norway.
Fish bones on Russlev foreshore, probably Cod. 13th century Cod bones have recently been found in London excavations suggesting a rapid growth in impported stockfish from sub-arctic Norway.
Salmon ladder on the the river at Nordfjordbotn. The river here is entering its meltwater spate.
Salmon ladder on the the river at Nordfjordbotn. The river here is entering its meltwater spate.

These were the only two flows we asw in the latter part of April - Silene acaulis, known as moss campion on the rocky foreshore at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula and Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara.

Silver or Downy Birch with the Ullsfjorden creating a dramatic backdrop in subarctic Norway near the Svensby ferry crossing taking the road between Tromso and Olderdalen.
Silver or Downy Birch with the Ullsfjorden creating a dramatic backdrop in subarctic Norway near the Svensby ferry crossing taking the road between Tromso and Olderdalen.
Downy brich on the snow-covered scree of Russelv mountain.
Downy brich on the snow-covered scree of Russelv mountain.
The tree line for Downy Birch at about 300m here with the peak Stortuva at 2000m on the east facing slope of the Ullsfjorden near the Svensby ferry crossing in subarctic Norway.
The tree line for Downy Birch at about 300m here with the peak Stortuva at 2000m on the east facing slope of the Ullsfjorden near the Svensby ferry crossing in subarctic Norway.
Planted Norway Spruce - they didn't recolonise this far north after the last Ice Age - and the sweeping patterns of Downy Birch patiently waiting for subacrtic Norway's late spring. Taken on April 23rd 2015.
Planted Norway Spruce - they didn't recolonise this far north after the last Ice Age - and the sweeping patterns of Downy Birch patiently waiting for subarctic Norway's late spring. Taken on April 23rd 2015.
Rowan growing at the bottom of a north facing ravine near sea level on the coast road near Hamn on Senja Island.
Rowan growing at the bottom of a north facing ravine near sea level on the coast road near Hamn on Senja Island.
A small colony of stunted Scots Pine on the road to Jøvik.
A small colony of stunted Scots Pine on the road to Jøvik.
Planted Norway Spruce on the mountain pass of the E8 main road south 40km from Tormso to the north.
Planted Norway Spruce on the mountain pass of the E8 main road south 40km from Tormso to the north.
Possibly Salix Glauca - the Grey Leaf Willow. A dwarf ground-hugging willow out on the point between the rocks at Russlev on the Lyngen Peninsula near Tromso.
Possibly Salix Glauca - the Grey Leaf Willow. A dwarf ground-hugging willow out on the point between the rocks at Russlev on the Lyngen Peninsula near Tromso.
Possibly Grey Leaf Willow seedheads. Willows are an important food source and a rich source of calcium and phosphorus for Arctic Hare and Elk (Moose). Near Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Possibly Grey Leaf Willow seedheads. Willows are an important food source and a rich source of calcium and phosphorus for Arctic Hare and Elk (Moose). Near Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
A large willow growing near the Lakselva river at the bottom of Sørfjorden at the bottom of the Lyngen Peninsula.
A large willow growing near the Lakselva river at the bottom of Sørfjorden at the bottom of the Lyngen Peninsula.
A red barked willow on the the road to Jøvik.
A red barked willow on the the road to Jøvik.
First flowers we saw. At Hamn on Senja Island. Coltsfoort being the harbingers of the sub-arctic spring.
First flowers we saw. At Hamn on Senja Island. Coltsfoort being the harbingers of the sub-arctic spring.
Silene acaulis, known as moss campion at on the rocky foreshore at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
Silene acaulis, known as moss campion at on the rocky foreshore at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula.
These succulent leaves were just appearing on the rocky foreshore at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula. Possibly Scurvy Grass? Note the over-wintering berries on the Crowberry.
These succulent leaves were just appearing on the rocky foreshore at Russelv at the end of the Lyngen Peninsula. Possibly Scurvy Grass? Note the over-wintering berries on the Crowberry.
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) on the rocky terrain at Russlev near sea level on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) on the rocky terrain at Russlev near sea level on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Juniper, crowberry and lingonberry heath at the windswept north end of the Sjørfjorden iin North Norway near Tromsø.
Juniper, crowberry and lingonberry heath at the windswept north end of the Sjørfjorden in North Norway near Tromsø.
The ubiquitous Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) one of the few berries that grow in subarctic Norway and Scandinavia. The berries are red and tart and eaten raw, cooked or preserved (traditonally in water). I had them for my breakfast.
The ubiquitous Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) one of the few berries that grow in subarctic Norway and Scandinavia. The berries are red and tart and eaten raw, cooked or preserved (traditonally in water). I had them for my breakfast.
This beautifully coloured ground hugging Crowberry (Epetrum Nigra) was dominant on the rocky terrain on the Lyngen headland near Russelv.
This beautifully coloured ground hugging Crowberry (Epetrum Nigra) was dominant on the rocky terrain on the Lyngen headland near Russelv.
Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) another important berry crop in the sub-Arctic. The black berries are usually harvested in autumn but will stay on the plants until spring. An important Sami foodstuff.
Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) another important berry crop in the sub-Arctic. The black berries are usually harvested in autumn but will stay on the plants until spring. An important Sami foodstuff.
'The Principal' on the rocks, about to spot two otters, Dolphin and a Sea Eagle and the spectacular carpet Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) at Russlev with the Ullsfjorden in the background in subarctic Norway near Tromso.
'The Principal' on the rocks, about to spot two otters, three Dolphins and a Sea Eagle and the spectacular carpet Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) at Russlev with the Ullsfjorden in the background in subarctic Norway near Tromso.
Blueberries this far north! At Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Blueberries this far north! At Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
A heather just bursting back into life after the long subarctic winter. It was growing on scree on the the road to Jøvik.
A heather just bursting back into life after the long subarctic winter. It was growing on scree on the the road to Jøvik.
Spring bite on 'early ground' near Svensby on the Lyngen Peninsula on April 23rd 2015.
Spring bite on 'early ground' near Svensby on the Lyngen Peninsula on April 23rd 2015.
Hummock grass growing on the windswept slope above the north end of the Sjørfjorden.
Hummock grass growing on the windswept slope above the north end of the Sjørfjorden.
Juniper heath and straggly Norway Spruce at the windswept north end of the Sjørfjorden iin North Norway near Tromsø.
Juniper heath and straggly Norway Spruce at the windswept north end of the Sjørfjorden iin North Norway near Tromsø.
A fir tree club moss (Lycopodiaceae family) out at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
A fir tree club moss (Lycopodiaceae family) out at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
A different club moss growing 200 feet above sea level on a huge boulder on the road to Jøvik.
A different club moss growing 200 feet above sea level on a huge boulder on the road to Jøvik.
Detail of the club moss above.
Detail of the club moss above.
A wet moss springing into growth at Russelv.
A wet moss springing into growth at Russelv.
Moss and lichen colonising a rock face near Russelv.
Moss and lichen colonising a rock face near Russelv.
A blanket moss growing on an old rockfall on the road to Jøvik.
A blanket moss growing on an old rockfall on the road to Jøvik.
Blurry plate lichen at Russlev.
Blurry plate lichen at Russlev.
Not cauliflower but lichen covered rock at Russelv.
Not cauliflower but lichen covered rock at Russelv.
A flat-leaved lichen growing on the rocky/peaty terrain of miniscule soils near the Russlev headland on the Lyngen Peninsula.
A flat-leaved lichen growing on the rocky/peaty terrain of miniscule soils near the Russlev headland on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Post glacial plant progression on a boulder with lichens, mosses and common juniper colonising this outlier from the last ice age at Russelv.
Post-glacial plant progression on a boulder with lichens, mosses and common juniper colonising this outlier from the last ice age at Russelv.
A blaze of orange lichen in the low sun at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
A blaze of orange lichen in the low sun at Russelv on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Lichen and Crowberry covering the rocky westerly foreshore at Russlev on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Lichen and that Crowberry covering the rocky westerly foreshore at Russlev on the Lyngen Peninsula.
Nineteenth century wall at the Holmbugt (Hombukta) graveyard with mosses and orange lichen. Holmbugt was the graveyard for all people of Sorfjorden between 1847 and 1864. On the road to Jøvik.
Nineteenth century wall at the Holmbugt (Hombukta) graveyard with mosses and orange lichen. Holmbugt was the graveyard for all people of Sorfjorden between 1847 and 1864. On the road to Jøvik.
Knotty flaxen-haired plant remains on the shore at Russelv.
Knotty flaxen-haired plant remains on the shore at Russelv.
An inter-tidal grass at Jøvik in North Norway near Tromsø.
An inter-tidal grass at Jøvik in North Norway near Tromsø.
Verdant looking seaweed growth in the intertidal zone at Nord-Lenangen inlet on the Ullsfjorden towards the west end of the Lyngen Peninsula. The Norther Gulf Stream makes a huge difference to sea temperature even this far north.
Verdant looking seaweed growth in the intertidal zone at Nord-Lenangen inlet on the Ullsfjorden towards the west end of the Lyngen Peninsula. The Norther Gulf Stream makes a huge difference to sea temperature even this far north.

 

To next section:

 

The German Occupation of Arctic Norway in WWII

 

Russian POWs in World War II and in Norway

Operation Nordlicht/Northern Light and the Destruction of Finnmark

The Norwegian Atlantic Wall

The Lyngen Line

The Prison Camps of the Lyngen Line and Mallnitz Death Camp

Aftermath: The Nuremberg 'Hostage Trial' ruling on the scorched earth events in Finnmark