Much of my research is on why we observe variation in life histories and behaviour, both within and between species, and how this variation influences population dynamics, interactions and ecosystems. I am also deeply fascinated by seasonality and aim to understand how seasonal environments shape ecological processes and evolutionary adaptations. Most of my work is on birds, fish, and zooplankton, but I happily jump between a wide range of systems and organism groups. I have worked a lot in polar (Arctic and Antarctic) ecosystems, and continue these efforts while also adding more projects on coastal ecology in the areas around Bergen and utilize the latitudinal gradients the Norwegian coast and Svalbard offer. I combine investigations in the field (including experiments) with mathematical models and statistical analyses of data. My main position is with BIO, with adjunct position at the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA).

For more, visit the Seasonal Ecology Group my Research Gate profile or Bluesky profile

Keywords: evolutionary ecology, population biology, marine ecology, phenology, life history traits, migration, meta-ecosystems

I am involved in the following courses at BIO:

BIO102 Organismal Biology 2

BIO213 Marine ecology, environment, and resources

Ongoing contributions at other institutions:

AB-340 Climate Change Biology, UNIS

AB-204 Arctic Population Ecology, The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS)

Check out the rich resources on teaching and learning offered by bioCEED

I was involved in bioCEED for several years. This link expands a bit on my involvement and pedagogical journey.

Via Google Scholar

or via Seasonal Ecology Group

Three recent publications:

Syposz M, Varpe Ø, Descamps S, Fort J, Grémillet D, Harding A, Jakubas D, Kidawa D, Skyllas N, Strøm H, Versluijs TSL, Wojczulanis-Jakubas K 2026. Snowmelt predicts earlier breeding across the latitudinal range of an Arctic nesting seabird, the little auk Alle alle. Journal of Animal Ecology abstract

Nowicki RC, Gabrielsen GW, Borgå K, Søreide JE, Varpe Ø 2026. Seasonality and water masses shape energetics of a high Arctic fish: quantifying energy density and condition indices. Marine Ecology Progress Series 786:15150 open access

Kristiansen T, Varpe Ø, Selig ER, Laurel BJ, Sydeman WJ, Hegglin MI, Wallhead P.  2025. Climate change impacts on ocean light in Arctic ecosystems. Nature Communications 16, 9798 open access

And some "classics":

Varpe Ø. 2017. Life History Adaptations to Seasonality. Integrative & Comparative Biology 57: 943–960 abstract & full text

Varpe Ø, Daase M, Kristiansen T. 2015. A fish-eye view on the new Arctic lightscape. ICES Journal of Marine Science 72: 2532-2538 abstract pdf

Ji R, Jin M, Varpe Ø. 2013. Sea ice phenology and timing of primary production pulses in the Arctic Ocean. Global Change Biology  19: 734-741 abstract

Varpe Ø. 2012. Fitness and phenology: annual routines and zooplankton adaptations to seasonal cycles. Journal of Plankton Research 34: 267-276  full text

Varpe Ø, Jørgensen C, Tarling GA, Fiksen Ø 2007. Early is better: seasonal egg fitness and timing of reproduction in a zooplankton life-history model. Oikos 116: 1331-1342  pdf 

Varpe Ø, Tveraa T, Folstad I. 2004. State-dependent parental care in the Antarctic petrel: responses to manipulated chick age during early chick rearing. Oikos 106 (3) 479-488 pdf

My ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5895-6983