On July 16, 2024, an importanti mission took place at the Bruno Peyronel Alpine Botanical Garden, (2290m a.s.l.), located in the municipality of Bobbio Pellice (TO). The goal? To monitor and transplant vegetation samples brought from Svalbard, ensuring their adaptation to a new environment before the experimental setup phase.

Mission Objectives

The primary aim of this mission was to assess the condition of the swards transported from Svalbard, to monitor the health of the plant species under study, and permanently transplant them into an ecologically suitable site within the garden.

Fieldwork Activities

The mission began with the inspection of the swards, which had been previously transported and temporarily placed in the garden. Signs of stress, primarily due to drought, were observed, though Salix polaris, Bistorta vivipara, and Poa alpina appeared to be the most resilient species.

A survey was then conducted to identify the most suitable permanent transplant site. A moist snowbed valley characterized by Juncus trifidus and Carex foetida was selected. The designated area was carefully excavated to accommodate the swards, which were then placed—still within their plastic containers—to prevent unwanted expansion.

To minimize the risk of genetic contamination, flowers and fruits were removed from the swards to prevent seed dispersal. Although many of the studied species naturally occur at the experimental site, a precautionary approach was taken, as these specimens originated from thousands of kilometers away.

Finally, a protective metal mesh was secured over the sods to prevent grazing by local wildlife.

Towards the Next Phase

With the successful transplantation completed, these Arctic plants are now set to be observed under their new environmental conditions. This mission represents an essential step in understanding how Arctic flora responds to different photoperiods and climatic variables, contributing valuable insights into plant adaptation in a changing world.