WetSnowEx was an innovative cross-disciplinary research initiative that sought to deepen our understanding of the intricate properties and processes occurring within snowpacks from maximum accumulation through the critical melting phase. As the climate changes, the melting period of snow held crucial insights into environmental dynamics that were often overlooked. The project aimed to combine empirical data collection with cutting-edge remote sensing techniques to illuminate these underexplored aspects of snow ecology.
The primary objectives of WetSnowEx were twofold. First, the project aimed to gather comprehensive spatial and temporal data on snow and glaciological properties using a variety of remote sensing methodologies. Second, it conducted a detailed assessment of microbial and faunal biodiversity present on snow surfaces, in snow and ice habitats, and in transitional zones. By analyzing how changes in the chemical and physical environment affected biodiversity, functional diversity, biomass, and activity, the researchers hoped to uncover vital connections and patterns within these ecosystems.
The fieldwork took place from April 27 to May 20 2024 and involved 22 participants from 14 institutions from Poland and Norway (NCU, JU, WUT, UWr, GUT, USil, UKW, MCSU, AMU, NORCE, UNIS, UiO, NPI and IG PAS), including early-career researchers eager to contribute to this critical field of study. The project was structured into three distinct stages: preliminary data collection, continued experiments, and final assessments and data synthesis.
Throughout this period, the team conducted eight high-impact field experiments. These included testing novel remote sensing technologies and collecting approximately one ton of snow samples for analysis. Key parameters such as snow water equivalent, organic carbon, nitrogen levels, and metal content were investigated, along with the biological and chemical influences on snow cover, including the role of microbial colonies.
The researchers employed sophisticated analytical techniques, including biological and chemical experiments focused on microbial impacts, transect studies to evaluate snow samples across various elevations, and human impact assessments to understand how nearby activities—like snowmobiling—affected snow characteristics.
Innovative approaches, such as time-lapse terrestrial laser scanning to monitor snow surface changes during melting and hyperspectral drone imaging for capturing melt signatures, further enhanced the research capabilities. Additionally, isotopic sampling of snowmelt provided valuable insights into the hydrological cycles within the Fuglebekken catchment.
The preliminary results had already sparked interest, as the team presented findings on variability in organic carbon and nitrogen concentrations within non-glaciated snow cover at the National Scientific Conference on Climate Change and Environmental Consequences in Poznań.
