Interaction webs in arctic ecosystems: Determinants of arctic change?

TY - JOUR

T1 - Interaction webs in arctic ecosystems

T2 - Determinants of arctic change?

AU - Schmidt, Niels Martin

AU - Hardwick, Bess

AU - Gilg, Olivier

AU - Høye, Toke Thomas

AU - Krogh, Paul Henning

AU - Meltofte, Hans

AU - Michelsen, Anders

AU - Mosbacher, Jesper Bruun

AU - Raundrup, Katrine

AU - Reneerkens, Jeroen

AU - Stewart, Lærke

AU - Wirta, Helena

AU - Roslin, Tomas

PY - 2017/2/1

Y1 - 2017/2/1

N2 - How species interact modulate their dynamics, their response to environmental change, and ultimately the functioning and stability of entire communities. Work conducted at Zackenberg, Northeast Greenland, has changed our view on how networks of arctic biotic interactions are structured, how they vary in time, and how they are changing with current environmental change: firstly, the high arctic interaction webs are much more complex than previously envisaged, and with a structure mainly dictated by its arthropod component. Secondly, the dynamics of species within these webs reflect changes in environmental conditions. Thirdly, biotic interactions within a trophic level may affect other trophic levels, in some cases ultimately affecting land–atmosphere feedbacks. Finally, differential responses to environmental change may decouple interacting species. These insights form Zackenberg emphasize that the combination of long-term, ecosystem-based monitoring, and targeted research projects offers the most fruitful basis for understanding and predicting the future of arctic ecosystems.

AB - How species interact modulate their dynamics, their response to environmental change, and ultimately the functioning and stability of entire communities. Work conducted at Zackenberg, Northeast Greenland, has changed our view on how networks of arctic biotic interactions are structured, how they vary in time, and how they are changing with current environmental change: firstly, the high arctic interaction webs are much more complex than previously envisaged, and with a structure mainly dictated by its arthropod component. Secondly, the dynamics of species within these webs reflect changes in environmental conditions. Thirdly, biotic interactions within a trophic level may affect other trophic levels, in some cases ultimately affecting land–atmosphere feedbacks. Finally, differential responses to environmental change may decouple interacting species. These insights form Zackenberg emphasize that the combination of long-term, ecosystem-based monitoring, and targeted research projects offers the most fruitful basis for understanding and predicting the future of arctic ecosystems.

KW - Ecosystem function

KW - Ecosystem services

KW - Network

KW - Plant–herbivore

KW - Plant–pollinator

KW - Predator–prey

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85010378826&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s13280-016-0862-x

DO - 10.1007/s13280-016-0862-x

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28116681

SN - 0044-7447

VL - 46

SP - 12

EP - 25

JO - Ambio

JF - Ambio

IS - Suppl. 1

ER -