This revised edition describes the transformation of the environment and landscape of Western
Sørkapp Land based on research data collected by Jagiellonian University scientific expeditions
in the period 1980-1986 and in 2008. It also outlines potential directions of the
transformation of Western Sørkapp Land.Western Sørkapp Land has been experiencing dramatic
natural changes such as glacial recession coastline retreat emergence of new landforms and
Quaternary deposits as well as changes in the water drainage and network due to global
warming. Western Sørkapp Land is a very remote and diverse region which is representative of
the European Arctic. The establishment of South Spitsbergen National Park has led to a
regeneration of the local reindeer herd which has caused overgrazing of the local tundra
resulting in altered plant communities and soil erosion. They have also destroyed numerous bird
nests. The transformation of Western Sørkapp Land is set to continue.
