Icelandic fjords: The natural ecosystem of Ísafjarðardjúpur and tolerance limits for pollution. Lokaskýrsla / Icelandic fjords: Natural biodiversity in Ísafjarðardjúp and pollution limits
The main objective of the project was to define the natural ecosystem of Ísafjarðardjúpur and the tolerance limits of pollution, especially with regard to the accumulation of organic matter on the bottom and possible nutrient enrichment. The project investigated the bottom habitat and shed light on possible species that can be used in Iceland to assess the accumulation of organic matter due to human activities, such as aquaculture.
Knowledge of benthic life in the shallow waters off Iceland is low, both under natural conditions and under stress from, for example, aquaculture. There is also a lack of knowledge about how benthic communities respond to stress from aquaculture, but in one study an attempt has been made to find answers to this regarding low stress. In order to understand which benthic community types exist under natural conditions and which in the case of pollution pollution, the relationship between benthic life inside and outside the area needs to be examined. In this way, it is possible to understand which animal groups are predominant in similar situations.
The main object of the project was to define the natural biodiversity of Ísafjardardjúp, pollution limits, and potential impact of eutrophication. This was done by studying benthic populations at specific locations and define indicator species which can be used in Iceland to estimate accumulation of organic matter which stem from man ‐ doings, like aquaculture. Knowledge about the benthic live in shallow waters around Iceland is little, both regarding natural circumstances and when there is pressure from man ‐ doings. Knowledge is also poor about how benthic communities respond to pollution from aquaculture. This study shows the relationships between research stations with regards to kinship between found indicative species.