SCANNET

Contact Details

Vindelfjällen Research Station
c/o County Administration
SE – 901 86 Umeå
Sweden
Phone: +46 90 10 7319
Fax: +46  90 10 8203
Site manager: Michael Schneider
(secretary, Vindelfjällen Research Society)
Email: 
Webpage: www.vindfo.se

Location
Vindelfjällen Research Station is located in the village of Ammarnäs in the north-western corner of Västerbotten County in Northern Sweden (65o57´ N, 16o13´ E). It is situated in the middle of Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, ca 70 km south of the Polar Circle

Climate
Mean temperature in January: – 12°C
Mean temperature in July: 14°C
Mean annual precipitation: ca 800 mm

Biodiversity
Vindelfjällen is of interest from both geological and biological points of view. The altitude in the nature reserve varies greatly, from valleys at 500 – 600 m above sea level to alpine peaks at 1500 – 1700 m. The reserve encompasses a set of Lapland’s typical mountain environments and a variety of different habitats, from alpine areas to mountain birch forests and old growth coniferous forests, and their associated terrestrial and freshwater biotopes.

Human Dimension
Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in Europe, covering 550 000 ha. The reserve is used for reindeer husbandry, tourism, fishing, hunting and research. Discussions and studies on resource management and nature conservation are central issues in the area.
Species Performance
Experiments on and records of breeding bird performance, plant-herbivore interactions and population dynamics of different species exist.

Species Performance

General Research
Due to the station’s vicinity to Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, research and monitoring are mainly focussing on biodiversity, conservation, reserve administration and sustainable use. Ongoing research projects include studies on birds (LUVRE-project, since 1963), insects, the Arctic fox, small mammals, herbivory, and local management systems. The populations of Wolverine, Lynx, Brown bear, Wolf, Golden eagle and Gyr falcon are monitored (since 1996). Environmental surveillance regarding freshwater, air, mosses and reindeer (Caesium) is conducted.

Existing Data Bases
Data acquired in the different research, surveillance and monitoring projects are held in each project and have not been collected in a common database located at the research station. Data exist on climate, vegetation, reindeer, pollutants, and population dynamics of several animal species. There are also limited statistics on hunting, fishing and tourism.

History and Facilities
Vindelfjällen Research Station was opened in 1994. The research station offers an environment for research, meetings and education in a beautiful mountain setting. The 600 square meter, two storey-station has 11 double rooms and three four-bed rooms with high-speed internet connections, a lounge (which can also be used as a conference room), three laboratories, a shared workroom, self-catering facilities, and laundry and drying facilities. There is also a Finnish style timber frame wood-burning sauna.
The Research Station is owned and managed by the Vindelfjällen Research Society. The society was formed in 1995 with the purpose of supporting and stimulating research in Vindelfjällen, as well as offering researchers and educators facilities suitable for both research and education. Members include the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, Sorsele municipality, the County Administration of Västerbotten, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and the universities in Umeå, Uppsala, Stockholm, Gothenburg and Lund.
Currently, there is no permanent scientific staff employed at Vindelfjällen Research Station, but the County Administration’s reserve wardens have their office in the station.
In Vindelfjällen Nature Reserve, nine permanent exclosures (1 ha each) have been built in 1996. These fences exclude larger herbivores and have been placed along an altitudinal and ecological gradient. Three are situated in the coniferous forest, three in the birch forest, and three in the alpine region. 

Transportation
Ammarnäs is reached by car or bus. The closest train station is located in Sorsele (90 km). Airports are located in Storuman and Arvidsjaur, ca 170 km from Ammarnäs.