Bioblitz in natural areas around Tromsø.

If you’ve been in Tromsø for longer than a few days, you’ve definitely spent a significant amount of time in one of the island’s beautiful forests. Maybe you’ve gone skiing with a friend, taken a late-night aurora walk, or sat and listened to the whisper of the trees. Forests are a vital resource for both human and wildlife communities around Tromsø. These natural spaces provide a retreat from the demands of daily life while serving as habitats for diverse plant and animal species. But Tromsø’s forests and other nature types are sometimes at risk from development, even more so in areas where little is known about the species that call them home. WHERE THE PROJECT STARTED In late November 2024, the Municipal and Urban Development Committee (KOBY) published Solneset Plan 1939 for public review, despite opposition from the administration and community members. The proposal would allow for the development of up to 393 residential units across six buildings on a large piece of forested land between Solneset and Mortensnes. This project would cause irreversible damage to a large patch of undeveloped forested areas on Tromsøya. Incidentally, this is one of the rare areas on the island free from noise pollution and the ever-present glow of streetlights. The area was classified as “A- Very important outdoor recreation area”, acknowledging its invaluable contribution to the community. Every day you will find school groups, bikers, skiers, and walkers embracing this forest and the trails within it, sharing the forest with plants, fungi and animals. WHERE IS THE WILDERNESS GONE? This controversial development project reminded us of the growing pressure of human activities, globally and locally. In 2005, Grid Arendal published a map of the wilderness left in Norway (https://www.grida.no/resources/5508), based on Miljødirektoratet's Naturbase Kart (INON). Their authors defined wilderness as areas more than 5 km from roads, railways, power lines and other major man-made changes/installations. This map is mind-blowing. In the last twenty-five years, wilderness has shrunk even more. SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? How can we help slow down the loss of nature? As individuals, we can take action by participating in public hearings and making our voices heard early in the planning stages of a project. Another approach is to highlight the unique biodiversity of an area, documenting the presence of diverse and rare species to illustrate what is at stake if their habitats are destroyed. While rare species alone may not always prevent environmental degradation, their presence can sometimes play a key role in influencing decisions. TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF NATURALISTS Organising regular Bioblitz in areas coveted by developers has another benefit. It contributes to building a community of nature advocates, but also of local experts who can teach the art of identifying species to the next generation of naturalists. Check the event page and join the next bioblitz!