Traditional mass balance measurements by stake readings and snow surveying have been conducted annually since 1996 on the Waldemar Glacier (= Waldemarbreen) in northwest Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Several indirect methods were also used for estimating its mass balance. These methods were divided into two major groups: climatological and geodetic. A comparison of the latest map (2000) with that of 1978 and climatological records enable us to calculate the change in the mass balance of Waldemarbreen over 34 years. These methods include air temperature and degree-day (PDD) models. The average mass balance of Waldemarbreen, computed by climatological methods, was -0.42 m a-1 of water equivalent (w.e.) for the period 1970-2004, and -0.51 m w.e. for 1996-2004. These balances were compared with the glaciological balance for the period 1996-2004, -0.53 m w.e.. The mass balance was also computed using geodetic method, giving -0.52 m of w.e. from 1978 to 2000. It is suggested that, from these results, the approach used for Waldemarbreen might be also useful for estimation the mass balances of other small Svalbard glaciers which terminate on land.

Studying the reaction of glaciers to climate warming and the interactions of ice masses with the atmosphere is cognitively highly significant and contributes to understanding the climate change. The results from the modelling of glacier surface ablation by the temperature–index and energy balance models as well as the results of meteorological and glaciological studies on Werenskioldbreen (south Spitsbergen, Svalbard) in 2011 have been analysed to improve the understanding of the glacier system’s functioning in the High Arctic. The energy balance modelling results showed that the radiation balance (58%) and sensible heat (42%) are the main factors influencing surface ablation on the glacier. The energy balance model offers a better fit to the measured ablation than the temperature–index model. These models have to be validated and calibrated with data from automatic weather stations, which provide the relevant gradient and calibration and validation. Presented models are highly suited for calculating ablation in Svalbard and other areas of the Arctic.