IceAGE - The project

The BIOICE follow-up project IceAGE (Icelandic marine Animals: Genetics and Ecology) builds on the data obtained in BIOICE. It aims to expand and deepen the scientific questions with regard to new focal points. Previous work within BIOICE has concentrated on the recording of biodiversity patterns using morphological studies. Due to the formalin fixation, a number of questions concerning isolation, gene flow and speciation could not be clarified so far. In addition to the approach of ecological modelling, IceAGE focuses on the collection of genetically useful material for DNA barcoding, population genetics and other molecular analyses.

Within the framework of the BIOICE project (Benthic Invertebrates Of ICElandic waters), sampling of benthic fauna took place from 1991 to 2004 around Iceland within the Icelandic economic zone with international participation. During a total of 19 cruises with the research vessels Bjarni Sæmundsson, Håkon Mosby and Magnus Heinason, 3670 samples were taken at depths between 30-3000 m using various instruments at over 1500 stations (Fig. 1). Parallel to the benthos sampling abiotic parameters (e.g. hydrography, sediment parameters) were recorded. The result is a comprehensive data set of distribution data of all invertebrates and abiotic parameters for evaluation. A total of 3 million individuals were sorted. The primary goal of the project was to record the benthic invertebrate fauna around Iceland in order to obtain information on population density and distribution of the species from shallow water to the deep sea.