title: Interaction webs in arctic ecosystems: Determinants of arctic change?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark. nms@bios.au.dk.
authors.forename: Niels M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Bess
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hardwick
authors.affiliation: GREA, 16 rue de Vernot, 21440, Francheville, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gilg
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Grenåvej 14, 8410, Rønde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Toke T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Høye
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Soil Fauna Ecology and Ecotoxicology and Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600, Silkeborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Paul Henning
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Krogh
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Meltofte
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 15, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Michelsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jesper B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Mosbacher
authors.affiliation: Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, P.O. Box 570, 3900, Nuuk, Greenland.
authors.forename: Katrine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raundrup
authors.affiliation: Animal Ecology Group, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jeroen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reneerkens
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
authors.forename: Lærke
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Helsinki, P.O.Box 27, 00014, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wirta
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7044, 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Roslin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001110:Arctic Regions; D001181:Arthropods / Q000502:physiology; D001717:Birds / Q000502:physiology; D057231:Climate Change; D064308:Ecological Parameter Monitoring; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D020387:Food Chain; D006116:Greenland; D054817:Pollination; D011156:Population Density; D011157:Population Dynamics; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: Ecosystem function; Ecosystem services; Network; Plant–herbivore; Plant–pollinator; Predator–prey