Scientists have studied Arctic herbivores for a long time but recent research syntheses have exposed major gaps in our knowledge. Larger, more charismatic species such as muskox and reindeer are more often studied compared to small invertebrates. In addition, herbivores are more studied in more accessible Northern European regions. But with climate change accelerating and with limited resources allocated to ecological monitoring, it is becoming more important than ever to prioritise research questions and management actions.

To address this need, the Herbivory network asked Arctic herbivory researchers to identify the most pressing research and management priorities for the next decade. They collected nearly 300 suggestions from 85 experts through online surveys and an in-person workshop. After analyzing their responses, they identified eight key scientific priorities and eight key management priorities.

These priorities emphasise the need to deepen our understanding about the ecological role of herbivores and their interactions, from small-scale local interactions to broader changes over time in the landscapes where herbivores and humans coexist. Learning more about how herbivores respond to and influence climate change, including their role in feedback loops that could speed up or slow down climate warming, represents another priority area. Moreover, herbivory researchers highlighted the need for new, improved tools and methods to better study and monitor these complex and remote ecosystems, while making scientific data quickly accessible to everyone. Finally, improving the ways to combine scientific and Indigenous knowledge was also identified as an important priority.

This work offers a roadmap for future research and collaboration, and represents a contribution to the fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV).

Read more about the workshop, the input provided for the ICARP IV process, and the recommendations

Photo credits (top row, left to right): J.S. Forbey, O. Suominen, I.C. Barrio; (bottom row, left to right) J. Bartolomé, M. Eggers, M. Petit Bon