Introduction

Abstract

The Arctic Institute of North America is concerned with the prosecution of research in the arctic and subarctic regions of the North American continent and in Greenland. The United States, Canada, and Greenland are represented on its Board of Governors. In the ten years during which the Institute has functioned, it has financed, or helped to finance, 177 projects of research in these northern areas, in a great variety of fields of scientific endeavour. In so doing, it has assisted in building up a corps of younger scientists competent to work in arctic territory. From these younger men much will be expected in the future. For the need is great. There are other agencies that are responsible for research work in the far north-governmental departments, private corporations, industrial firms. But the Arctic Institute of North America is the only agency that is international in scope. It deals with the problems in their wider scientific importance, unimpeded by national boundaries. Not only is this in the best interests of science; it is also in the best interests of international cooperation. There are common problems of defence in which this northern territory plays a very significant part. Because of this fact, a part of the research work in the Arctic in recent years is on the classified list, and does not appear in the current publications. It is none the less of great importance both from the scientific standpoint and in the national interest. The Research Committee of the Arctic Institute felt that a review of the present status of arctic research in the various fields of science would now be of value both to the scientific worker and to others who are interested in northern development. It was suggested that there would be great value if the present trends and the future needs were emphasized. The Committee has been fortunate in securing the cooperation of highly competent authorities in the sciences that are represented in this volume. The reader will be impressed with the work that has been accomplished. He will be even more impressed with what yet has to be done. The territory is very large. Much of it is not easily accessible. The season in summer is short. The work is arduous and demands special training. The workers are relatively few. This volume will have served its purpose if it stimulates to more widespread activity in arctic research. What has already been done has added greatly to our knowledge of the Arctic. It has done more; it has made the Arctic more accessible to those who are engaged in the development of its resources, and in the well-being of its people. The Arctic Institute of North America has already played no inconsiderable part in the encouragement of arctic research. Governmental departments, corporations, and private individuals have assisted the Institute greatly in their work. It is a great pleasure to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of all who are associated with the Institute for the support which has been given so generously. It is the hope of the Governors that, with still wider support, much can be accomplished that the authors of the papers in this volume feel is so urgently needed to be done.