Jökull - 01.12.1969, Page 163

tive to start such a cooperative undertaking.
The most pressing task from the scientific
point of view seems to be the history of the
climate from the beginning of the nineteenth
century.
Glaciers give important information about
the climatic history of the country. New met-
hods have been developed which add to the
value of glaciers as a source of information.
The Iceland Glaciological Society which con-
ducts glaciological research, partially in co-
operation with other agencies, is in a special
position because their utilization of research
funds is multiplied due to the volunteer work
of the many interested members of the society.
The Conference dealt with the past and the
present. It did not present any forecast of ice
conditions, weather, or ocean currents in years
to come. It did, however, present hypotheses
concerning climatic changes and it was point-
ed out that some foreign scientists predict a
cooling trend in the local climate.
At the final meeting of the Conference the
emphasis centered around domestic problems.
A detailed report was presented of scientific
experiments and experience concerning the
danger of icing on ships, and the principal
methods available for guarding against this
danger were pointed out. The Conference was
of the opinion that the State Director of
Shipping should introduce this subject to a
wider audience. Furthermore, the Cont'erence
urges seamen to comply with the request to fill
out forms concerning icing on ships.
The occurrence of large floods in rivers was
explained and it was pointed out that these
may occur at any time of the year. The con-
nection between the danger of floods and
weather was also discussed.
The influence of sea temperature on the
growth rate of cod and its importance for tlie
amount of catch was described. The effects of
long term temperature changes on the breed-
ing grounds and their shift as well as on the
movement of the cod were discussed.
The changes in the migration paths of
schools of herring in recent years were describ-
ed. The role of sea temperature variations in
these changes as wcll as their effects on tlie
herring growth were discussed.
The influence of the weather on vegetation
and agriculture was dealt with. This influence
seems to be rather complex and further re-
search in this field is recommended.
A final comment: Everyone is aware of the
fact that increased research ancl service means
increased cost. The Conference, however, can-
not visualize how official funds appropriated
for the sea ice problem may be better utilized
than by increasing research in 'this area and
thereby improving service connected with the
problem.
JÖKULL 19. ÁR
159