Svalbard - Nature Reserves

In recent years 27,000sq.km/10,400sq.mi (44% of Svalbard's total area) have been declared nature reserves. There are now three National Parks (South Spitzbergen, Forlandet and Northwestern Spitzbergen), two nature reserves, three plant reserves and 15 bird reserves. The extreme climatic conditions mean that rubbish thrown away may not decompose for many years. In order to avoid upsetting the delicate ecological balance, therefore, visitors should be sure to take their litter away with them.