This project aims to investigate tardigrade diversity associated with different types of substrates in forests in Norway, evaluate the impact of forestry management practices on tardigrade biodiversity for future conservation policies, and expand the recently initiated DNA barcode library of Norwegian tardigrades. It will also use environmental barcoding of substrates to test the effectiveness of this method in documenting tardigrade diversity and distribution. By connecting staff at the NTNU University Museum with national and international experts, the project will increase the scientific know-how of tardigrade taxonomy in Norway, communicate this knowledge to society and develop a comprehensive reference collection in a Norwegian museum.
