Evidence of effects of herbivory on Arctic vegetation: a systematic map protocol

• Published in: Environmental Evidence
• Main Authors: Soininen, E.M., Barrio, Isabel C, Jepsen, J.U., Ehrich, D., Ravolainen, V.T., Speed, J.D.M.
• Other Authors: Auðlinda- og umhverfisdeild (LBHÍ), Faculty of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (AUI), Líf- og umhverfisvísindastofnun (HÍ), Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences (UI), Verkfræði- og náttúruvísindasvið (HÍ), School of Engineering and Natural Sciences (UI), Landbúnaðarháskóli Íslands, Agricultural University of Iceland, Háskóli Íslands, University of Iceland
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Springer Nature 2018
• Subjects: Plant-herbivore interaction; Tundra; Grazing; Beitilönd; Graslendi; Arctic; Climate change; IASC; Iceland; International Arctic Science Committee
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/1262; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13750-018-0135-1

Along with climate change, herbivory is considered a main driver of ecosystem change in terrestrial Arctic environments. Understanding how herbivory influences the resilience of Arctic ecosystems to ongoing environmental changes is essential to inform policy and guide sustainable management practices. However, many studies indicate that the effects of herbivores on plants and ecosystem functioning depend on the abiotic and biotic conditions where the interaction takes place, i.e. the ecological context. Yet, the range of ecological contexts in which herbivory has been studied in the Arctic has not been systematically assessed. A lack of such evaluation prevents understanding the robustness and generalizability of our knowledge of Arctic herbivore effects on vegetation and ecosystems. The main objective of our systematic map is to identify the ecological contexts where herbivory is studied in the Arctic. Hence, this systematic map will enable us to assess our ability to make generalizable and robust conclusions regarding the impacts of Arctic herbivory. FRAM—High North Research Centre for Climate and the Environment supported this work with funding for two workshops (project name: “The status of evidence for herbivory in Arctic tundra ecosystems—A protocol for a systematic map”). Funding from the Terrestrial Working Group of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) was received to organize the Herbivory Network workshop in Iceland, where some of the initial ideas were discussed. Peer Reviewed