The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average, with dramatic consequences for biodiversity in terrestrial ecosystems. These effects not only threaten endemic fauna and flora, but also the livelihood and well-being of the people living in the Arctic.
To understand and protect Arctic terrestrial biodiversity, we need comprehensive, ecosystem-based monitoring programs and improved monitoring methods. However, characterizing biodiversity and the condition of an ecosystem are challenging tasks, especially in the Arctic.
The Thematic Network on Terrestrial Biodiversity Monitoring aims to connect researchers across UArctic institutions to develop, improve and harmonize monitoring methods. It will facilitate the work on developing these methods, adapting them to Arctic socio-ecological systems, and making them able to answer the current and future needs of terrestrial biodiversity monitoring via knowledge exchange.
Another important goal of the Thematic Network is the development of educational courses between UArctic institutions, such as joint university lectures, summer schools or citizen-science courses for schools or the public. The Thematic Network further aims at supporting Indigenous-community-led monitoring initiatives and ensure data sovereignty supporting Indigenous people’s rights to self-determination.
