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The NuukBasic programme was initiated in 2007 by the National Environmental Research Institute, Aarhus University, in cooperation with the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. NuukBasic is funded by the Danish Energy Agency and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency as part of the environmental support programme DANCEA – Danish Cooperation for Environment in the Arctic. The present manual describes methods and sampling procedures of the subprogram BioBasis. The manual is updated regularly. The latest version can always be found at www.nuuk-basic.dk.NuukBasic is a climate change effects monitoring programme with the monitoring sites located close to Nuuk in west Greenland. The programme studies the effects of climate variability and change on marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In terms of scientific concept, NuukBasic is equivalent to the investigations carried out in ZackenbergBasic, at Zackenberg Research Station in Northeast Greenland (www.zackenberg.dk).The terrestrial monitoring area is located at the inner parts of Kobbefjord approximately 20 km east of Nuuk as seen in figure 1 and 2. The local climate is low arctic with a mean annual temperature of - 0.1°C (2008-2017). The warmest month is July (average 10.6°C) while the average temperature in March is - 8.2°C (coldest month). The annual mean precipitation in Kobbefjord is around 800 mm and maximum snow depths vary strongly between 0.3 and 1.3 m at the climate station. The drainage basin is located in an alpine landscape with mountains rising up to 1400 meter above sea level and with glacier coverage of approximately 2km2. Geologically, the area is relatively homogenous with precambrium gneisses as basement throughout the drainage basin. For a presentation of the Kobbefjord geology please refer to the note on “Kobbefjord geology” by Thebaud and Lebrun which can be found in the cabin in Kobbefjord.

This oil spill sensitivity atlas covers the shoreline and theoffshore areas of West Greenland between 75º N and 77º N.The coastal zone is divided into 53 shoreline segments, andthe offshore zone into 4 areas. A sensitivity index value iscalculated for each segment/area, and each segment/areais subsequently ranked according to four degrees of sensitivity.Besides this general ranking, a number of smaller areasare especially selected, as they are of particular significance.They are especially vulnerable to oil spills and they have asize making oil spill response possible. The shoreline sensitivityrankings are shown on 15 maps (in scale 1:250,000), whichalso show the different elements included in the analysisand the selected areas. Coast types, logistics and proposedresponse methods along the coasts are shown on another 15maps. The sensitivities of the offshore zones are depicted onfour maps, one for each season. Based on all the information,appropriate oil spill response methods have been assessedfor each area

This final report provides an overview of bioresources in the West Nordic region focusing on Iceland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland, their utilisation and future opportunities based on green growth. The report provides good basis for strategic identification of beneficial projects in the region. Based on the results, a specific action plan has been formed consisting of four main actions; 1. Create a West Nordic Bioeconomy panel, 2. Establish an interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence (CoE) for the West Nordic region, 3. Arctic bioeconomy II – Project focusing on opportunities in biotechnology and 4. Program focusing on “The Blue Bioeconomy”.

This manual describes procedures for biologic climate eff ectmonitoring in Kobbefjord, Nuuk. The monitoring is a part ofNuukBasic which is a cross-disciplinary ecological monitoringprogramme in low Arctic West Greenland. Biologicalmonitoring comprises the NERO line which is a permanentvegetation transect, and monitoring reproductive phenologyof Salix glauca, Loiseleuria procumbens, Eriophorumangustifolium, and Silene acaulis. The progression in vegetationgreenness is followed along the vegetation transectand in the plant phenology plots by measurement of NormalizedDiff erence Vegetation Index (NDVI). The fl ux of CO2is measured in natural conditions as well as in manipulationssimulating increased temperature, increased cloud cover,shorter growing season, and longer growing season. The effectof increased UV-B radiation on plant stress is studied bymeasuring chlorophyll fl uorescence in three series of plots.Arthropods are sampled by means of yellow pitfall traps aswell as in window traps. Microarthropods are sampled in soilcores and extracted in an extractor by gradually heatingup soil. The avifauna is monitored with special emphasison passerine birds. Only few terrestrial mammals occur inthe study area. All observations of mammals are recordedad-hoc. Monitoring in lakes include ice cover, water chemistry,physical conditions, species composition of plankton,vegetation, bottom organisms and fi sh. Physical-chemicalparameters, phytoplankton and zooplankton

Results of the seventh year of the BioBasis monitoring programme at Nuuk arepresented. Reproductive phenology: In L. procumbens and S. acaulis vegetative phenology is similar to that of 2012, although there was a tendency to produce larger numbers of flowers in most plots. The timing of 50 % flowering was within the same range as previous years. The flower bud production, the onset of flowering, and the peak flower production of L. procumbens occurred at approximately the same timeas in 2012. A second bud production was recorded 3 September Day of Year (DOY) 246. All plots produced more flowers in 2013 than in 2012. The first senescent flowers were recorded about the same time as in 2012. Timing of budding, flowering and senescence in S. acaulis was later thanin 2012. S. glauca buds were observed aweek later compared to the earliest year 2010. First flowering male catkins were observed 13 June (DOY 164) and first female catkins 18 June (DOY 169). The first female flowers with hair were observed 11 July. A higher number of flowers were produced in 2013 than in 2012. During April the area was exposed to two weeks of severe snowmelt, followed by heavy snowfall in May, resulting in late snowmelt. A preliminary review of data related to flowering indicates that 2013 was characterized by no larval outbreak of the noctuid moth E. occulta, and large numbers of flowers produced in L. procumbens and S. glauca compared to 2012. Vegetation greening: Empetrum nigrum reached the highest Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values of all the species, and NDVI was consistently high throughout the season. The values were at the same level or higher than in 2012, which was the highest recorded so far. Generally, the vegetation greening in 2013 was very similar to that in 2012. The NDVI values were in many cases higher throughout the season compared to previous years, with an intermediate to late peak. The vegetation seems to have recovered after the outbreak of the noctuid moth larvae.Carbon dioxide exchange: Since 2008 carbon dioxide exchange has been measured including manipulation experiments simulating higher temperatures and increased cloud cover. Generally, all plots functioned as sinks for atmospheric CO2 at the time of the measurement (midday). In October, Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE) was generally close to zero. Similar to previous years the uptake of CO2 was higher in control plots compared to plots with elevated temperature and shaded plots. The differences between treatments during 2013 were in general similar to previous years. Together with 2012, the flux amplitudes in 2013 were higher compared with previous years. UV-B exclusion plots: Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence as a proxy forplant stress were carried out. The total performance index (PItotal) integrates the measurements, and the PItotal were sensitive to UV-B exclusion in both V.uliginosum and B. nana. The seasonal plant stress level was reduced when the plants were protected from UV-B radiation.Arthropods: Pitfall traps were established from 28 May (DOY 148) through 13 June (DOY 164) and they all worked continuously until 7 October (DOY 280) when the liquid began to freeze. In 2013, arthropods were caught during 4511 trapdays (including 4057 pitfall-trap daysand 454 window-trap days). Parts of the samples are being sorted at Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Denmark. The material sampled in the 2013 season is currently stored in 70 % ethanol at Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Microarthropods: In the season 2013, the sampling of microarthropods was reduced from the standard of eight samples per plot to four samples per plot. Sampling was carried out three times during the season. The samples have not been analysed yet. The material sampled and extracted is currently stored in 70 %ethanol at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources. Materials collected from research projects completed in 2012 in Kobbefjord and Zackenberg were further analysed. For project description andresults see chapter 6.Birds: No survey of breeding passerines was carried out in 2013. A breeding pair of white-tailed eagles Haliaeetus albicilla was observed on the mountain side northeast of the research house in Kobbefjord. All four species of passerines (Lapland buntings, snow buntings, northern wheatears, and redpolls) were already present at the time of the first census, and the survey was carried out until no more observations were made at any census point. The total number of passerines has varied between the years. In 2013, the northern wheatear was the most abundantly observed passerine, and the only species to have more observations per census in 2013 than in 2012. Although there is some variance from year to year, the number of observations of northern wheatears is usually at its maximum in August. Mammals: The Kobbefjord catchment area is only sparsely populated with mammals. In 2013, at least two different foxes have been observed on several occasions; tracks, faeces and barks have been observed/heard throughout the season. One Arctic hare was observed. Lakes: 2013 was relatively wet, particularly during the winter period. It was the coldest summer registered during the monitored period and the ice-free period lasted less than 132 days in Badesø and less than 124 in Qassi-sø. Average total nitrogen concentration in both lakes was the lowest measured and average totalphosphorus was generally low in Badesø. During the last three years, chlorophylla has stabilized around 0.8 μg Chl a l-1, following an increasing trend during the2008-2010 period. Zooplankton biomass is generally higher in Qassi-sø compared to Badesø, which is consistent with the lack of fi sh in Qassi-sø. During the past three years an increasing zooplankton biomass is observed in Badesø; this can partly be due to reduced predation pressure, corresponding well with reduced fi sh abundance in 2013 compared to 2008, when the first fish investigation was undertaken.

Spatial distribution of caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) in West Greenland is a result of both short and long term changes in the Arctic landscape. To understand present distribution 40 satellite collars were deployed on 40 female caribou in the Akia-Maniitsoq herd, central West Greenland in 2008. The collars provided GPS-positions with 1-3-hours intervals hence giving detailed information on the spatial distribution of the animals. The detailed information prompt opportunities to introduce statistical models to enhance the understanding of causal effects on the distribution of the caribou in West Greenland. In a newly started PhD-project the focus will be the implementation of spatially explicit individual based modeling (IBM). The project relies on existing knowledge on caribou behavior and feeding ecology along with data on variations in the vegetation. By relating vegetation, snow distribution and caribou in a realistic but manipulable “virtual world” of an IBM it is possible to examine the plausible effects of different environmental impacts on the population dynamics of caribou in West Greenland. The simulations will include introduction of mega-industry, roads, and transmission lines in an area. Further, enhanced or lowered hunting pressure, and changed weather conditions can be studied using IBM. Thus, both short and long term changes in the landscape will be studied and provide insights in how the specific spatial changes impact caribou in West Greenland.

Since it was proposed to identity speciesby small sequences of DNA with e.g. lessthan 1000 bp (base pairs) popularized bythe term barcode, monitoring of biodiversityhas included barcoding (Hebert et al.2003, Hogg and Hebert 2004 and Rougerieet al. 2009). It is now a rapidly increasing collectively endeavour supported by theinfrastructure of the iBOL project (the International Barcode of Life project).

This oil spill sensitivity atlas covers the shoreline and the offshore areas of West Greenland between 72º N and 75º N. The coastal zone is divided into 118 shoreline segments and the offshore zone into 3 areas. A sensitivity index value is calculated for each segment/area, and each segment/area is subsequently ranked according to four degrees of sensitivity. Besides this general ranking a number of smaller areas are especially selected as they are of particular significance, they are especially vulnerable to oil spills and they have a size making oil spill response possible. The shoreline sensitivity ranking are shown on 13 maps (in scale 1:250,000), which also show the different elements included and the selected areas. Coast types, logistics and proposed response methods along the coasts are shown on another 13 maps. The sensitivities of the offshore zones are depicted on 4 maps, one for each season. Based on all the information, appropriate oil spill response methods have been assessed for each area

Denne rapport er udarbejdet af Danmarks Miljøundersøgelser og Grønlands Naturinstitut for Grønlands Hjemmestyre til brug for udarbejdelse af en Strategisk Miljøvurdering (SMV) i forbindelse med anlæg af en aluminiumsmelter og tilhørende vandkraftanlæg i det centrale Vestgrønland. Formålet med rapporten er at samle og vurdere den eksisterende viden om miljøforhold indenfor den region, som påvirkes af projektet.Rapporten beskriver plante- og dyrelivet samt udnyttelsen af naturressourcerne gennem jagt, fiskeri, turisme m.v. I beskrivelserne af dyre- og plantelivet fokuserer vi på arter, som er 1) vigtige for jagt og fiskeri, 2) sjældne eller truede, og 3) af betydning internationalt. Hvor der findes et egnet datagrundlag, har vi udarbejdet kort, der viser de vigtigste områder for en given art eller for ressourceudnyttelse indenfor regionen. For den enkelte art vurderer vi regionens betydning samt risikoen for at arten påvirkes af projektet.Plantelivet på landjorden er grundlaget for dyrene, der lever her, herunder for rensdyr, moskusokser og gæs. Der er stor forskel på vegetationens sammensætning i regionen. Der er således en tydelig forskel på de oceaniske kystområder og de kontinentale områder ind mod indlandsisen. Også højden over havet spiller en rolle, og nogle højtliggende områder er vegetationsløse. Desuden findes en række sjældne plantearter indenfor regionen. Etablering af reservoir søer til forsyning af vandkraftanlæggene vil betyde, at nogle vegetationsdækkede områder omkring søerne oversvømmes i perioder og dermed bliver uden plantedække. Det vil dog sandsynligvis kun omfatte relativt begrænsede områder. Også anlæg af veje vil - i mindre omfang - påvirke vegetationen. Påvirkningen af vegetationen, herunder forekomst af sjældne arter, bør undersøges, når planer for anlægsarbejderne er udarbejdet, så der kan tages hensyn hertil ved opførelse af veje, transmissionslinjer og andre anlæg.Regionen er vigtig for forekomsten af rensdyr og moskusokser. De største koncentrationer af rensdyr indenfor regionen forekommer i området nord for Kangerlussuaq og syd for Maniitsup Sermia. I den nordlige del af regionen ved Kangerlussuaq vandrer dyrene, således at de er i indlandet primært i begyndelsen af sommeren, hvor de også kælver, mens de den øvrige del af året mest opholder sig i mere kystnære områder. Der findes andre vandringsmønstre i bestanden, men disse er ikke veldokumenterede. I den sydlige del af regionen er der et mere kompliceret vandringsmønster, idet nogle dyr opholder sig kystnært hele året, mens andre vandrer mellem vinteropholdssteder i de kystnære områder og kælvnings- og sommerområder i indlandet. Der findes en ret omfattende viden om rensdyrene fordeling i regionen. Denne viden er imidlertid tidsmæssigt og områdemæssigt spredt. Der mangler viden om vandringer og placeringen af kælvningsområder baseret på systematisk indsamling af data. Anlægsarbejder i forbindelse med etablering af vandkraftanlæg eller transmissionslinjer vil påvirke dyrenes fordeling i området, men når etablering er afsluttet og forstyrrelserne dermed forsvinder, må det forventes at dyrene vender tilbage, hvis der ikke er menneskelig aktivitet i området.Moskusoksen forekommer naturligt i Nordøst- og Østgrønland, og de bestande, der i dag findes i Vestgrønland, stammer fra indførte dyr fra Østgrønland. Efter introduktionen til området er bestanden vokset meget hurtigt. I regionen forekommer moskusokser primært i et område syd for Kangerlussuaq Lufthavn. Det er ikke sandsynligt, at moskusoksebestanden påvirkes af projektet, da der ikke forventes aktiviteter inden for bestandens hovedudbredelsesområde. Dog vil anlæggelse af en vej og transmissionslinje gennem Sarfartoq påvirke dyrene i det område hvor anlægsarbejder udføres, og en mere udbygget infrastruktur vil betyde øget adgang til området og dermed flere forstyrrelser.Strømanden er en lille dykand, som potentielt er udsat for at blive påvirket ved anlæg af vandkraftanlæg, fordi den yngler ved klarvandede søer og elve. Imidlertid er de tre store søområder, der planlægges som oplande til evt. vandkraftværker, ikke habitater for strømænder. Vandet er uklart (smeltevand fra indlandsisen), og søerne er højtliggende og bliver først sent isfrie. Derfor vil strømandebestanden i undersøgelsesområdet næppe blive påvirket ved anlæg af nogen af de tre vandkraftværker. Når de nærmere planer for placering af vandkraftværkerne kendes, bør det dog vurderes og undersøges, om der kan være påvirkninger, f.eks. ved at der fjernes vand fra elve, der kunne være habitat for strømand.Bestanden af grønlandsk blisgås er unik, fordi den globalt set kun yngler i Vestgrønland. Forårsrastepladserne er særdeles vigtige for gæssenes ynglesucces. Der ligger få vigtige rastepladser i området syd for Maniitsup Sermia, mens der nord herfor ligger flere, hvoraf to er meget vigtige. Tilsvarende rastepladser kendes ikke for den anden gåseart, canadagåsen, der findes i området. Tætheden af reder for begge arter i regionen er lav og det er formodentlig få redebiotoper der vil blive berørt af de planlagte vandkraftværker. Gæssene samler sig i flokke i fældeperioden, de er meget afhængige af deres valgte fældeområder i relativ lang tid og de er relativt følsomme overfor forstyrrelser. I perioden efter fældningen vurderes det, at der vil være få fødesøgningsbiotoper der vil blive berørt af de planlagte vandkraftværker.Andre bestande af fugle knyttet til landjorden eller ferskvand, herunder rødstrubet lom, islom, jagtfalk, vandrefalk og havørn vil næppe blive påvirket i væsentlig grad af projektet.Fjeldørreden er meget almindeligt forekommende i Sydvestgrønland og findes overalt i regionen. Ved anlæg og drift af vandkraftanlæg vil afstrømningsforholdene ændres, hvorved levevilkårene for ørrederne vil ændres. Selvom en lokal bestand skulle blive påvirket eller endog udryddet ved anlæg og drift af et vandkraftanlæg, er det dog ingen trussel mod den samlede bestand, men lokalt kan en vigtig bestand for fiskeri blive påvirket. Det bør nærmere undersøges, i hvilket omfang lokale bestande af fjeldørred vil blive påvirket. Dette er formentlig især relevant for bestanden i Sarfartoq.Kystzonen har en særlig betydning for kolonirugende fugle, især lomvie og ride, fiskearter som gyder ved kysten (lodde og stenbider) samt for den spættede sæl, som yngler og fælder på land. De er derfor udsat for en påvirkning som følge af projektet, særligt i forbindelse med den fase, hvor anlæggene skal konstrueres og der opereres fra kysten. Eventuelle gener kan modvirkes ved at planlægge anlæggene på en måde og i perioder, som ikke virker forstyrrende. Dog vil en sydlig placering af et smelteværk på Akia/Nordlandet kunne få en væsentlig negativ indflydelse på områdets funktion som raste- og fourageringsområde for havfugle og vadefugle pga. stigende aktiviteter i området ved anlæg af havnefaciliteter m.v., og hvis området gøres til genstand for byudvikling m.v.Der foregår jagt efter rensdyr indenfor hele regionen, men mest i området nord for Nuup Kangerlua og omkring Kangerlussuaq. Kyst- og fjordnære områder og mange dalstrøg er vigtige. Nogle jagtområder ligger langt inde i landet. Udbygning af vandkraft i regionen kan få indflydelse på rensdyrjagten, da transmissionslinjer og vandkraftværker vil blive placeret i benyttede jagtområder. Det vil være under anlægsfasen at de største påvirkninger vil ses. Herudover vil etablering af infrastruktur som f.eks. vejanlæg kunne lette adgangen til indlandet og dermed øge forskellige aktiviteter i tidligere ubenyttede jagtområder. Vejanlæggenes langsigtede påvirkning vil afhænge af, hvilken regulering, der besluttes for deres brug.Langt den største del af jagten efter moskusokse er koncentreret i området syd for Kangerlussuaq Lufthavn. Også i de fjordnære områder ved Kangerlussuaq bliver der nedlagt mange dyr. De primære jagtområder ligger imidlertid udenfor det område, som vil blive berørt af vandkraftprojektet.Der drives indenfor regionen jagt på enkelte fuglearter, der er tilknyttet landjorden. Det drejer sig især om fjeldrype. Der foregår dog også jagt på andre arter som blisgås, canadagås, gråand og islom, men i mindre omfang. Der er kun begrænset kendskab til betydningen af forskellige jagtområder, men jagten er sandsynligvis spredt så vidt, at den næppe vil blive væsentlig påvirket af projektet.Brugen af det åbne land omfatter ud over jagt og fiskeri også rekreative formål. Det drejer sig for eksempel om ture i det åbne land, ofte kombineret med overnatning i enten hytter, telte eller både. Samtidig foregår sådanne ture ofte i kombination med jagt og fiskeri samt anden udnyttelse af naturen som for eksempel bærplukning. Herudover forekommer i stigende grad egentlig organiseret turisme, dvs. arrangerede ture med betalende deltagere ofte til bestemte lokaliteter. Placeringerne af et smelteværk i nærheden af en af byerne, vil kunne få en væsentlig betydning for nogle af de bynære rekreative områder. En sådan placering kan få stor betydning for, hvordan sammenhængen mellem byen og den omgivende natur opleves. Landskabsoplevelsen, herunder stilheden og uberørtheden, tiltrækker mange turister og bruges til at markedsføre området. Transmissionslinjer og andre anlæg vil påvirke naturoplevelsen på en måde som de fleste vil opfatte som negativ. Nogle lokale turistaktører ser dog muligheder for at tiltrække flere turister i kraft af en forbedret infrastruktur i form af udbygget vejnet. Der foreligger dog ikke kvantitative eller kvalitative undersøgelser af brugen af de rekreative områder som baggrund for en vurdering af betydningen af områderne. This report was prepared by the National Environmental Research Institute and the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources for the Greenland Home Rule Government to be used for preparing a Strategic Environmental Assessment in connection with the proposed aluminium smelter and hydroelectric project in central West Greenland . The objective of the report is to gather and evaluate existing environmental data within the region that is affected by the project.The report contains descriptions of plant and animal life and of human resource use through hunting, fishing, tourism etc. In the descriptions of plant and animal life we focus on species that are 1) important to fishing and hunting, 2) rare or threatened, and 3) of international importance. If data are sufficient, we have prepared maps showing the most important areas to a certain species or to human resource use within the region. For each species discussed, we evaluate the importance of the region to the species and the risk that it may be impacted by the aluminium smelter and hydroelectric project.Vegetation is an important determinant of the occurrence of caribou, muskox and geese. There are large differences in the composition of the vegetation within the region, e.g. between oceanic, coastal areas and continental areas towards the Inland Icecap. Elevation is also important, and some high-lying areas have no vegetation. A number of rare plant species occur within the region. Establishing reservoir lakes as water supplies to hydroelectric plants implies that some vegetated areas will be flooded and the vegetation will be destroyed. This will, however probably affect only smaller areas. The construction of roads will, to a smaller extent, affect the vegetation. The potential impact of the project on the vegetation, including rare species, should be considered as construction plans are made so that the impact of new roads, transmission lines and other installations can be mitigated.The region is important to caribou and muskoxen. The highest concentrations of caribou are found north of Kangerlussuaq and south of Maniitsup Sermia. In the northern part of the region at Kangerlussuaq the animals migrate and are found primarily in early summer in the inland areas, where they also calve, while in the other part of the year they are found in more coastal areas. There are also other migration patterns in this caribou herd, but these are not well documented. In the southern part of the region the migration pattern is more complicated. Some animals are found in coastal areas all year round, while others migrate between winter habitats in coastal areas and calving and summer habitats in the inland region. Some information is available concerning the distribution of caribou in the region, but it is patchy in time and space. There are no systematically collected data on the migration and location of calving areas, but these are needed. Construction works of hydroelectric plants or transmission lines will affect the distribution of caribou in the region, but when construction works and disturbance have ceased, the animals will be expected to return, if there is no human activity in the area.Originally muskoxen were found only in Northeast and East Greenland, and the populations found today in West Greenland originate from animals that were moved to Kangerlussuaq from East Greenland . After the introduction the population has grown very fast. In the region muskoxen are primarily found south of the airport at Kangerlussuaq. It is not likely that the population will be affected by the project, as construction activities are not expected to take place within the main habitat areas of muskoxen. However, the construction of a road and of transmission lines in Sarfartoq will affect animals in construction areas, and such new infrastructure will ease access to the area and may increase disturbance.The harlequin duck is a small diving duck that is potentially vulnerable to impact by the operation of hydroelectric plants, because it breeds at lakes and streams with clear water. However, the three large lake areas planned to be used as reservoirs for the hydroelectric plants are not harlequin duck habitat. The water is silty (melt water from the Inland Icecap) and the lakes are at high altitudes and become late ice free. Therefore it does not seem likely that the harlequin population in the region will be affected by the project. When the detailed plans for the hydroelectric plants are known, there should be an evaluation of the potential effects, e.g. if water is moved from streams that could be harlequin duck habitat.The population of Greenland white-fronted goose is unique, because it only breeds in West Greenland . The geese arrive to Greenland in spring use specific spring staging areas, which are very important to their breeding success. Within the region only few spring staging areas are found south of Maniitsup Sermia, while north of here there are more, of which two are very important. Similar spring staging areas are not known for the Canada goose, which is the other goose species found in the region. The density of nests for both goose species is low in the region, and probably only few nests will be affected by the project. After breeding the geese gather in flocks to moult. As they cannot fly away to another area while moulting they can be very sensitive to local disturbances during this period. After moulting and until they leave Greenland the geese forage, but in that period few forage habitats will be affected by the project.It is not likely that other terrestrial bird populations in the region, including red-throated diver, great northern diver, gyr falcon, perigrine falcon and white-tailed eagle, will be significantly affected by the project.The Arctic char is very common in Southwest Greenland and is found all over in the region. When constructing and operating hydroelectric plants the discharge patterns will change and so will the conditions of the char in the lakes and streams affected. However, if a local char population is affected or even destroyed this will have consequences for local fishing. It should be studied to what extent local char populations will be affected by the project. This probably is most important to the char population in Sarfartoq.The coastal zone has unique importance to colony breeding birds (particularly thick-billed murre and kittiwake), to fish species spawning at the coast (capelin and lumpsucker) and to the harbour seal, which breeds and moults on land. These species are potentially exposed to impact by the project, in particular in the construction phase, when operations are conducted at the coast. Possible effects may be mitigated by coordinating construction times and coordinating methods that do not conflict with habitat use by these species. However, a southern smelter location with a harbour (and a town development etc.) at Akia/Nordlandet may significantly impact this area, which is an important stage and forage area to seabirds and waders.Caribou are hunted in the whole region, but mostly in the area north of Nuup Kangerlua and around Kangerlussuaq. Areas close to the coast and many valleys are important. Some hunting areas are located in the far inland. The plans to develop hydroelectric in the region may affect the caribou hunting, as hydroelectric plants and transmission lines will be located in areas used for hunting. The most significant effects may be expected during the construction phase. However, establishing infrastructure, particularly roads, will ease access to inland areas not used for hunting and other activities earlier. The impact of these will depend on the way they are regulated.Most hunting for muskoxen takes place in the area south of the airport at Kangerlussuaq. Many animals are also shot in coastal areas at Kangerlussuaq. However, the most important hunting areas are found outside the area that will be affected by the project.A few terrestrial bird species are hunted in the region. The most important is ptarmigan. Hunting for Greenland white-fronted goose, Canada goose, mallard and great northern diver also takes place. Little is known about the importance of different hunting areas, but most likely the hunting is so dispersed that it will not be significantly affected by the project.Besides hunting and fishing, the land is also used for recreation, e.g. tours often combined with lodging in cottages, tents or boats. Such tours are often combined with hunting and fishing and other resource use, such as picking berries. Organized tourism, i.e. arranged tours with paying participants, is an increasing activity. These tours often go to specific localities. If a smelter is located at a town this may significantly affect recreational areas there and the perception of the relation between the town and the surrounding nature. The perception of the landscape, particular the silence and virginity attracts many tourists and is used to market tourism. Transmission lines and other installations will be perceived negatively by most people who come to experience relatively undisturbed nature. However, some local tourist bureaus consider that the development of infrastructure may facilitate more tourists if the new installations include improved roads. However, there are no quantitative or qualitative studies of the use or recreational areas that could be used to evaluate the importance of these areas.