Researchers have sampled activities of a number of different species during three consecutive winters in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. They have said many things happen there during the cold dark winter. The findings were published in the Cell Press journal Current Biology on September 24.

Jorgen Berge of UiT The Arctic University of Norway and the University Centre in Svalbard said this has changed the way they used to think about marine ecosystems during the polar night.

The three-year-long study of a fjord in Svalbard has discovered surprising levels of animal activity at the time of long, dark, including the water is buzzing with lively goings on, from glowing krill to seabirds on the hunt.

The researchers said the findings have raised a number of questions regarding how those marine species were able to eke out a living through the winter.

UiT is world's northernmost university, and said its location on the edge of the Arctic has defined its mission of studying the region, which has higher global importance. The research included the climate change impacts, the exploitation of Arctic resources and environmental threats. They don't halt with the onset of winter.

Berge added, "The dark polar night is not a period without any biological activity, as had been assumed. Concealed behind the curtain of darkness is a world of activity, beauty, and ecosystem importance".

UiT's research has specially focused on Polar night biology. So far, scientists used to believe that the polar night was devoid of biological activity. The Tromsö experts said that but it was based on a lack of data.