Arctic entomology in the 21st century

• Published in: The Canadian Entomologist
• Main Authors: Høye, Toke T., Sikes, Derek S.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 2013
• Subjects: Arctic; Arctic biodiversity; Climate change
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.4039/tce.2013.14; https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0008347X1300014X

Abstract Research interest in the Arctic is accelerating because of observed and anticipated dramatic climate change and its impacts on societies and ecosystems. Arthropods form a major part of the terrestrial species diversity in the Arctic, and are particularly sensitive to changes in the abiotic environment. Hence, increased research activity on Arctic arthropods would help towards conservation of Arctic biodiversity as well as in understanding the role of Arctic arthropods in ecosystem functioning. In this introduction to the special issue on Arctic entomology in the 21st century, we identify trophic interactions, biodiversity assessments, and taxonomic revisions as three important research fields in Arctic entomology. We also point to ways in which Arctic entomology could take advantage of recent developments in other research fields and we place the contributions to the special issue in a broader context. Arthropods form ideal model organisms in global change studies and there is a particular need for entomological studies from the dramatically changing Arctic. It is our hope that the papers within this special issue will be a valuable source of inspiration and may stimulate novel insights and achievements in Arctic entomology during the 21st century.