A large number of comprehensive publications has been devoted to the Antarctic, to its plant and animal life. It is therefore relatively easy to familiarize oneself with the current state of Antarctic research. Nothing comparable is available for the Arctic. The heterogeneity and richness of the northern polar regions seem to have discouraged any attempt at a synthethic approach. This book has evolved from an attempt to summarize the results of 15 years of ecological and physiological research work in the Arctic - mostly on Spitsbergen. The necessity of comparing our results and the ecological conditions of Spitsbergen with other arctic regions grew into a full-sized book on arctic animal ecology. It is not meant as an exhaustive survey ofthe relevant literature. Instead I have tried to show how closely the various fields of research are interwoven, how many questions can be solved if only notice is taken of fellow scientists and their results, and how much arctic animals have in common. This book would not have been possible without the helpfulness of many colleagues. Above all I should like to mention Professor Ronning and Professor Solem of Trondheim University (Norway), Professor Arnthor Gardasson of Reykjavik University (Iceland), Dr. NettIeship, Dr. Oliver and Dr. Ryder of Canada and Professor West of Fairbanks University (Alaska, USA).

I. Introduction: Delimitation of the Arctic

II. Ecological Factors in the Arctic
1. The Diurnal Rhythm of Organisms and Its Relationship to Environmental Parameters
2. Temperature Conditions in the Arctic
3. Ecological Factors Other Than Temperature and Light
4. The Combination of Factors in the Arctic
III. (Almost) Common Characteristics of Arctic Animals
1. Population Cycles
2. Seasonal Migrations of Birds and Mammals
3. Entrainment of Animals to the Yearly Cycle
4. The Importance of the Proximity of the Ocean: Marine Birds and Mammals
5. The Ratio of Productivity to Biomass in the Arctic
6. Species Problems
IV. Peculiarities of the Systems
1. General Principles
2. Stability and Constancy of Arctic Ecosystems
3. The Animals in Terrestrial Ecosystems
4. The Animals in Limnic Ecosystems
5. The Animals in Marine Ecosystems
V. Types of Arctic Climates
VI. Case Studies
1. "Warm" Arctic: A Section Through Northern Scandinavia from Tromso (Norway) to Kevo (Finland)
2. Arctic Alaska: Comparison Between Prudhoe Bay and Point Barrow
3. High-Arctic Continental: the Canadian Archipelago
4. High-Arctic Oceanic: Svalbard or Spitsbergen
5. Arctic Lakes
6. The Arctic Seas of the Old World
7. Antarctica:a Comparison
References.