Two New NFR Projects Funded: Exploring Arctic Resilience and Cod Evolution

We’re thrilled to announce that BTN will receive funding for two major research projects through the Norwegian Research Council (NFR). These projects - CARE-COD and ROPES - will deepen our understanding of how marine ecosystems respond to rapid environmental change, from the high Arctic to the fjords of western Norway.

CARE-COD: Cod Evolution in a Changing World

The CARE-COD project turns its lens to the Atlantic cod, a species central to Norwegian fisheries and now facing the pressures of human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC). Using genomics and acoustic telemetry, CARE-COD will explore:

• The behaviour and genetic diversity of cod ecotypes in western Norwegian fjords

• How cod populations are responding to fish farming and climate change

• The evolutionary history of cod through ancient DNA extracted from sediment cores

Set within the Nordhordaland UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, CARE-COD will provide a unique window into how cod populations have adapted—or struggled—under environmental stress, offering insights crucial for sustainable fisheries and biodiversity resilience.

ROPES: Resilience of Polar Ecosystems

The ROPES project focuses on the cumulative effects of climate change and biological shifts in Norway’s high Arctic. As Atlantic species, tourism, and fisheries increasingly influence the region, the polar marine ecosystem is undergoing dramatic transformation. ROPES will apply the hierarchical response framework to study:

• Physiological tipping points in polar cod, a keystone Arctic species

• Food web reorganization in two fjords in western Svalbard

• The ecological impact of immigrant species like cod and haddock

By investigating these dynamics, ROPES aims to identify critical thresholds in Arctic ecosystems and inform fisheries management, conservation strategies, and marine spatial planning in a rapidly changing environment.

These projects represent a significant step forward in our mission to understand and protect marine ecosystems in the face of rapid change. We’re excited to begin this journey and share our findings with the broader scientific community and the public.

Stay tuned for updates—and thank you to NFR for supporting these two research projects ant their relevance for aquatic ecosystems!