One of the project goals of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) is the social implementation of research results to assess risks and to develop policies that allow effective management. The Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA) set an example for such social implementation with a collaboration of social and natural scientists from the ArCS II. Here, we examine the contributions of the ArCS II and earlier Japanese Arctic studies to the CAOFA based on the implementation plan of the CAOFA's Joint Program for Scientific Research and Monitoring. Japan's research results were useful for prioritizing research areas and assessing the marine environment and ecosystem mainly in lower trophic levels on the Pacific side of the Arctic Ocean. Future contributions to the CAOFA are expected through the scientific surveys to be conducted by a Japanese new icebreaker.
{"title":"Japanese Arctic projects’ contributions to the Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement","authors":"Shigeto Nishino , Akiho Shibata , Kentaro Nishimoto , Osamu Inagaki","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101210","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101210","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>One of the project goals of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) is the social implementation of research results to assess risks and to develop policies that allow effective management. The Central Arctic Ocean Fisheries Agreement (CAOFA) set an example for such social implementation with a collaboration of social and natural scientists from the ArCS II. Here, we examine the contributions of the ArCS II and earlier Japanese Arctic studies to the CAOFA based on the implementation plan of the CAOFA's Joint Program for Scientific Research and Monitoring. Japan's research results were useful for prioritizing research areas and assessing the marine environment and ecosystem mainly in lower trophic levels on the Pacific side of the Arctic Ocean. Future contributions to the CAOFA are expected through the scientific surveys to be conducted by a Japanese new icebreaker.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101210"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335213","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Environmental changes in the Arctic Ocean are expected to increase use of Arctic Sea routes—namely the Northeast Passage and Northwest Passage—including more traffic by large vessels and ships with low ice classes. To enable sustainable use while preserving the Arctic environment, this article highlights the need for accurate sea ice information, science-based evaluation of ship performance and safety, effective oil spill response, and economic feasibility analysis.
In response to the growing challenges of Arctic navigation, Japan launched a coordinated research initiative to support policy and industry with science-based solutions. This review summarizes recent advances, including the outcomes from a Japanese research initiative titled Sustainable Arctic Sea Routes in a Rapidly Changing Environment, part of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project. The initiative comprises four sub-programs: (1) sea ice information generation, (2) evaluation of ship performance and safety, (3) oil spill risk assessment and response feasibility, and (4) economic and policy analysis of Arctic shipping.
Notable achievements include the development of an automated, low-cost shipborne Sea Ice Condition Recording system (SSICR), designed to replace manual visual observations with high-resolution, real-time data. Additional findings highlight how wave activity and ice floe distribution affect ship–ice interactions, offer new insights into spray icing behavior, and propose improved icing risk models using computational fluid dynamics. In the economic domain, global transport simulations and behavioral studies reveal that Arctic route adoption can be promoted through environmental policy, innovation, and industry outreach.
This review underscores the importance of integrating environmental, engineering, and economic perspectives to enable safe and sustainable Arctic shipping.
{"title":"Sustainable arctic sea routes in a rapidly changing environment","authors":"Akihisa Konno , Kazutaka Tateyama , Junji Sawamura , Toshihiro Ozeki , Takatoshi Matsuzawa , Ryuichi Shibasaki , Shinichi Yamaguchi","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101258","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101258","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Environmental changes in the Arctic Ocean are expected to increase use of Arctic Sea routes—namely the Northeast Passage and Northwest Passage—including more traffic by large vessels and ships with low ice classes. To enable sustainable use while preserving the Arctic environment, this article highlights the need for accurate sea ice information, science-based evaluation of ship performance and safety, effective oil spill response, and economic feasibility analysis.</div><div>In response to the growing challenges of Arctic navigation, Japan launched a coordinated research initiative to support policy and industry with science-based solutions. This review summarizes recent advances, including the outcomes from a Japanese research initiative titled <em>Sustainable Arctic Sea Routes in a Rapidly Changing Environment</em>, part of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project. The initiative comprises four sub-programs: (1) sea ice information generation, (2) evaluation of ship performance and safety, (3) oil spill risk assessment and response feasibility, and (4) economic and policy analysis of Arctic shipping.</div><div>Notable achievements include the development of an automated, low-cost shipborne Sea Ice Condition Recording system (SSICR), designed to replace manual visual observations with high-resolution, real-time data. Additional findings highlight how wave activity and ice floe distribution affect ship–ice interactions, offer new insights into spray icing behavior, and propose improved icing risk models using computational fluid dynamics. In the economic domain, global transport simulations and behavioral studies reveal that Arctic route adoption can be promoted through environmental policy, innovation, and industry outreach.</div><div>This review underscores the importance of integrating environmental, engineering, and economic perspectives to enable safe and sustainable Arctic shipping.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101258"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335211","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Arctic marine ecosystems, extending from microbial communities to the system response to environmental and human pressures, were investigated in the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project, a nationally coordinated Arctic project in Japan. New findings and hypotheses emerged: a) bottom sediments on a continental shelf contained a significant amount of the bloom-causing viable diatom, and more primary production may be occurring over a water column than previously thought, b) particle flux containing biogenic opal increased over the 2010s, c) large copepod Calanus glacialis/marshallae exhibited flexibility on grazing in the Pacific Arctic Ocean, suggesting their high adaptation to environmental changes, d) a novel environmental DNA (eDNA) technique succeeded in the identification of polar cod distribution, e) there was an increase in species richness over the last 20 years due to the poleward shift of habitat ranges of marine predatory species, f) Arctic marine ecosystems may have a larger sensitivity to external forcings around the Pacific and Atlantic gateways. This article reviews and highlights these findings in the context of specific science questions and delivers Japan's contribution to the integrated assessment of Arctic marine ecosystems.
{"title":"Towards an integrated assessment of the Arctic marine ecosystems in response to abrupt environmental changes: Contribution from the Arctic challenge for sustainability II (ArCS II) project","authors":"Takafumi Hirata , Irene D. Alabia , Amane Fujiwara , Yuri Fukai , Jorge García Molinos , Akihide Kasai , Tatsuya Kawakami , Kohei Matsuno , Jonaotaro Onodera , Takuhei Shiozaki , Hiromichi Ueno , Eiji Watanabe","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101260","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101260","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Arctic marine ecosystems, extending from microbial communities to the system response to environmental and human pressures, were investigated in the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project, a nationally coordinated Arctic project in Japan. New findings and hypotheses emerged: a) bottom sediments on a continental shelf contained a significant amount of the bloom-causing viable diatom, and more primary production may be occurring over a water column than previously thought, b) particle flux containing biogenic opal increased over the 2010s, c) large copepod <em>Calanus glacialis/marshallae</em> exhibited flexibility on grazing in the Pacific Arctic Ocean, suggesting their high adaptation to environmental changes, d) a novel environmental DNA (eDNA) technique succeeded in the identification of polar cod distribution, e) there was an increase in species richness over the last 20 years due to the poleward shift of habitat ranges of marine predatory species, f) Arctic marine ecosystems may have a larger sensitivity to external forcings around the Pacific and Atlantic gateways. This article reviews and highlights these findings in the context of specific science questions and delivers Japan's contribution to the integrated assessment of Arctic marine ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101260"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-04-03DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101204
Minori Takahashi
This study aims to contribute to a comprehensive project to elucidate Arctic political processes that comprise the sum of conflicts and adjustments arising among multiple stakeholders. Using Denmark and Greenland as case studies, this study examines the nature of the master–servant relationship inherent in the colonization of indigenous societies by the state. It also explores how this relationship has influenced and continues to shape real-world politics following the decolonization process that began in the mid-20th century.
{"title":"Articulation, disarticulation, and the creation of hybridity: Tracing state–indigenous relations through the Denmark–Greenland Case","authors":"Minori Takahashi","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101204","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101204","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study aims to contribute to a comprehensive project to elucidate Arctic political processes that comprise the sum of conflicts and adjustments arising among multiple stakeholders. Using Denmark and Greenland as case studies<span>, this study examines the nature of the master–servant relationship inherent in the colonization of indigenous societies by the state. It also explores how this relationship has influenced and continues to shape real-world politics following the decolonization process that began in the mid-20th century.</span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101204"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-09-01Epub Date: 2025-09-08DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101267
Hiroyuki Enomoto
The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) Project has been implemented from 2020 to 2025 as a Japanese flagship project of Arctic research. ArCS II set four strategic objectives toward the project goal of a sustainable Arctic: improving Japan's Arctic observation capabilities, strengthening predictions, understanding the impact on society, and advancing discussions on international relations and the role of law. It has promoted the connection between science and society. ArCS II strategically disseminated information about the Arctic to the general public to raise interest in environmental change and social trends in the Arctic, and also worked to provide useful Arctic information to policymakers and private sectors. The project emphasized to supporting the capacity building of young people and educational activities. This review paper explains how ArCS II was implemented over the five years, what results were obtained, and how activities supporting the research were carried out. This paper explains what efforts were made to promote the project, what was learned, and what we expect from it in the future as the social situation changes in the Arctic, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic and the international political situation. Detailed research results are published in a series of scientific articles, books, and policy briefs as well, and they are also published on the ArCS II website (http://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/).
{"title":"Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project activity and results","authors":"Hiroyuki Enomoto","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101267","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101267","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) Project has been implemented from 2020 to 2025 as a Japanese flagship project of Arctic research. ArCS II set four strategic objectives toward the project goal of a sustainable Arctic: improving Japan's Arctic observation capabilities, strengthening predictions, understanding the impact on society, and advancing discussions on international relations and the role of law. It has promoted the connection between science and society. ArCS II strategically disseminated information about the Arctic to the general public to raise interest in environmental change and social trends in the Arctic, and also worked to provide useful Arctic information to policymakers and private sectors. The project emphasized to supporting the capacity building of young people and educational activities. This review paper explains how ArCS II was implemented over the five years, what results were obtained, and how activities supporting the research were carried out. This paper explains what efforts were made to promote the project, what was learned, and what we expect from it in the future as the social situation changes in the Arctic, taking into account the COVID-19 pandemic and the international political situation. Detailed research results are published in a series of scientific articles, books, and policy briefs as well, and they are also published on the ArCS II website (<span><span>http://www.nipr.ac.jp/arcs2/</span><svg><path></path></svg></span>).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-09-06DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2024.101119
Yuko Osakada
This article examines the changes required to make the green transition more inclusive and sustainable from an international human rights perspective. Indigenous peoples have been challenging the ways in which this transition is taking place, using the phrase “green colonialism.” Although, in many countries, it has become common to consult affected Indigenous peoples to reach an agreement before licensing the establishment of green energy facilities, previous studies that dealt with the Sámi's struggle against the green transition have revealed that asymmetric power relationship between Indigenous peoples, sovereign states and business enterprises contributed to disguised dialogues and/or agreements among them. Therefore, this article concludes that a genuine shift from the obligation to consult Indigenous peoples to their right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is crucial when establishing green energy facilities that might affect them. In doing so, this article emphasizes that the meaning of the right to FPIC for Indigenous peoples should be understood correctly from an international human rights perspective. In particular, it argues that their right to FPIC should be ensured not only before the project affecting Indigenous peoples is licensed, but also at all stages of implementing the project with participatory monitoring.
{"title":"Pitfalls of the green transition: Towards a genuine understanding of the right to free, prior and informed consent of the Indigenous peoples","authors":"Yuko Osakada","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2024.101119","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2024.101119","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This article examines the changes required to make the green transition more inclusive and sustainable from an international human rights perspective. Indigenous peoples have been challenging the ways in which this transition is taking place, using the phrase “green colonialism.” Although, in many countries, it has become common to consult affected Indigenous peoples to reach an agreement before licensing the establishment of green energy facilities, previous studies that dealt with the Sámi's struggle against the green transition have revealed that asymmetric power relationship between Indigenous peoples, sovereign states and business enterprises contributed to disguised dialogues and/or agreements among them. Therefore, this article concludes that a genuine shift from the obligation to consult Indigenous peoples to their right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is crucial when establishing green energy facilities that might affect them. In doing so, this article emphasizes that the meaning of the right to FPIC for Indigenous peoples should be understood correctly from an international human rights perspective. In particular, it argues that their right to FPIC should be ensured not only before the project affecting Indigenous peoples is licensed, but also at all stages of implementing the project with participatory monitoring.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101119"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2024-10-05DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2024.101121
Kaori Ishii
This study discusses waste-related issues in remote Alaskan villages, focusing on the relationships between the support providers, such as government officials and nonprofits, and the indigenous people, from the perspective of self-determination. With the increasing volume and variety of waste generated by recent lifestyle changes, health and environmental issues have become growing concerns. Each village is responsible for waste management and operating a disposal site. However, challenges exist regarding the current waste management regime, highlighting the importance of grant-funded initiatives and support from non-profit organizations. Based on interviews with supporters and observations of the negotiation process between supporters and indigenous people, this study analyzes the grants and collaborative efforts in Alaska. Through grants and collaborative initiatives, the assimilation of indigenous people into mainstream society is inevitable, although efforts to respect indigenous self-determination and communication are ongoing and serve as a framework for bridging the gap between the waste regime and status quo. However, two unsolved issues remain: the “support-in-waiting” dilemma, and the issues arising from the social, economic, and geographical diversity among settlements. The balance between respect for self-determination in environmental governance and provision of support extending beyond equality of opportunity will be the key to future relationships.
{"title":"Who addresses pollution? Relationships among actors and grant money for waste management efforts in remote Alaskan communities","authors":"Kaori Ishii","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2024.101121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2024.101121","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study discusses waste-related issues in remote Alaskan villages, focusing on the relationships between the support providers, such as government officials and nonprofits, and the indigenous people, from the perspective of self-determination. With the increasing volume and variety of waste generated by recent lifestyle changes, health and environmental issues have become growing concerns. Each village is responsible for waste management and operating a disposal site. However, challenges exist regarding the current waste management regime, highlighting the importance of grant-funded initiatives and support from non-profit organizations. Based on interviews with supporters and observations of the negotiation process between supporters and indigenous people, this study analyzes the grants and collaborative efforts in Alaska. Through grants and collaborative initiatives, the assimilation of indigenous people into mainstream society is inevitable, although efforts to respect indigenous self-determination and communication are ongoing and serve as a framework for bridging the gap between the waste regime and status quo. However, two unsolved issues remain: the “support-in-waiting” dilemma, and the issues arising from the social, economic, and geographical diversity among settlements. The balance between respect for self-determination in environmental governance and provision of support extending beyond equality of opportunity will be the key to future relationships.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101121"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-02-05DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101171
Rami Ahmad El-Nabulsi
Several studies have confirmed the fractal geometry of various glacial fields on Earth and the presence of self-organizing glacial environments. These have been confirmed using satellite geodesy such as Landsat data and SPOT Panchromatic satellite data. In this manuscript, we study ice sheet dynamics and glacier in fractal dimensions based on the notion of “product-like fractal measure” recently introduced in Literature. This approach is practical to model continuum processes characterized by anisotropies. We discuss two main problems based on the shallow-ice approximation: the ice-sheet profile and the parallel-sided slab problems in fractal dimensions. In the first problem, a deformation in the Vialov profile has been observed. In particular, for fractal dimensions much less than unity, the surface profile is peakish at the end of the horizontal extent. This observation holds for various Glen’s flow parameter. When cap is expanding sideways, we have revealed the emergence of accumulation and ablation mainly for low fractal dimensions. In the second problem, both the temperature profile and the horizontal velocity are affected by fractal dimensions. The surface temperature decreases to a temperature higher than the one obtained in the basic approach, i.e. integer dimensions. This may have some impacts on climate change.
{"title":"A model for ice sheets and glaciers in fractal dimensions","authors":"Rami Ahmad El-Nabulsi","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Several studies have confirmed the fractal geometry of various glacial fields on Earth and the presence of self-organizing glacial environments. These have been confirmed using satellite geodesy such as Landsat data and SPOT Panchromatic satellite data. In this manuscript, we study ice sheet dynamics and glacier in fractal dimensions based on the notion of “product-like fractal measure” recently introduced in Literature. This approach is practical to model continuum processes characterized by anisotropies. We discuss two main problems based on the shallow-ice approximation: the ice-sheet profile and the parallel-sided slab problems in fractal dimensions. In the first problem, a deformation in the Vialov profile has been observed. In particular, for fractal dimensions much less than unity, the surface profile is peakish at the end of the horizontal extent. This observation holds for various Glen’s flow parameter. When cap is expanding sideways, we have revealed the emergence of accumulation and ablation mainly for low fractal dimensions. In the second problem, both the temperature profile and the horizontal velocity are affected by fractal dimensions. The surface temperature decreases to a temperature higher than the one obtained in the basic approach, i.e. integer dimensions. This may have some impacts on climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101171"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101173
Valeria Casa , María Victoria Quiroga , Paulina Fermani , Yanina Vanesa Sica , Rubén D. Quintana , Marcela M. Libertelli , Gabriela Mataloni
Wetlands are ecosystems characterised by standing water or waterlogged soils, with properties distinct from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite their significant contributions to society, they have historically been viewed as wastelands, leading to rapid global loss and degradation. In response, the Ramsar Convention promotes policies for their conservation and sustainable use, designating over 2000 protected sites. As this convention does not apply to Antarctica, Antarctic wetlands still need a theoretical framework for their interpretation and protection, despite growing scientific and conservation interest. Here we characterised the wetland complex of Cierva Point (Antarctic Peninsula). We classified 66 wetlands into nine types and analysed environmental variation among them regarding location-dependent features (latitude, longitude, height, exposure, penguin influence, substrate) and physical-chemical variables. Wetlands of the same type were not geographically clustered and varied widely in physical-chemical features, with only substrate and penguin influence partially explaining this diversity. We then developed an interpretative model rooted in wetland ecology paradigms, which illustrates the complex interactions between the analysed features, others not considered here, and their temporal variation. As these factors also account for the outstanding environmental and biological diversity of other Antarctic wetland complexes, informed measures to improve and expand their conservation are further discussed.
{"title":"A proposed framework for describing, understanding and protecting Antarctic wetlands: The Cierva Point Wetland complex case","authors":"Valeria Casa , María Victoria Quiroga , Paulina Fermani , Yanina Vanesa Sica , Rubén D. Quintana , Marcela M. Libertelli , Gabriela Mataloni","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Wetlands are ecosystems characterised by standing water or waterlogged soils, with properties distinct from aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite their significant contributions to society, they have historically been viewed as wastelands, leading to rapid global loss and degradation. In response, the Ramsar Convention promotes policies for their conservation and sustainable use, designating over 2000 protected sites. As this convention does not apply to Antarctica, Antarctic wetlands still need a theoretical framework for their interpretation and protection, despite growing scientific and conservation interest. Here we characterised the wetland complex of Cierva Point (Antarctic Peninsula). We classified 66 wetlands into nine types and analysed environmental variation among them regarding location-dependent features (latitude, longitude, height, exposure, penguin influence, substrate) and physical-chemical variables. Wetlands of the same type were not geographically clustered and varied widely in physical-chemical features, with only substrate and penguin influence partially explaining this diversity. We then developed an interpretative model rooted in wetland ecology paradigms, which illustrates the complex interactions between the analysed features, others not considered here, and their temporal variation. As these factors also account for the outstanding environmental and biological diversity of other Antarctic wetland complexes, informed measures to improve and expand their conservation are further discussed.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101173"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-06-01Epub Date: 2025-02-04DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101172
Juha Saunavaara , Aileen A. Espiritu , Marina Lomaeva
Subnational governments have gradually been integrated into Arctic governance structures, and new cross-border collaboration emerged during the late 2010s despite the annexation of Crimea. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the ensuing war greatly disrupted multilateral collaboration between subnational authorities. In addition to war-related challenges, long-term problems, such as a weak shared identity, vague objectives, and difficulties in establishing suitable working mechanisms continue to exist. The international turbulence has severely affected the activities of the Northern Forum and led to the end of Barents regional collaboration and suspension of the Bering/Pacific-Arctic Council initiative (BPAC). Meanwhile, the Arctic Mayors’ Forum has strengthened its position as a key regional stakeholder, and a new Arctic Urban–Regional Cooperation Program has been launched. While this suggests that municipalities may be replacing regions as the most prominent subnational drivers of cross-border collaboration, their policy areas remain unclear. The institutional frameworks supporting collaboration among Arctic and northern subnational governments have not proved more flexible than those established by states. Moreover, subnational authorities have not challenged their respective central governments by deviating from national policies.
{"title":"Collaboration between Arctic and northern subnational governments disrupted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine","authors":"Juha Saunavaara , Aileen A. Espiritu , Marina Lomaeva","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Subnational governments have gradually been integrated into Arctic governance structures, and new cross-border collaboration emerged during the late 2010s despite the annexation of Crimea. However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the ensuing war greatly disrupted multilateral collaboration between subnational authorities. In addition to war-related challenges, long-term problems, such as a weak shared identity, vague objectives, and difficulties in establishing suitable working mechanisms continue to exist. The international turbulence has severely affected the activities of the Northern Forum and led to the end of Barents regional collaboration and suspension of the Bering/Pacific-Arctic Council initiative (BPAC). Meanwhile, the Arctic Mayors’ Forum has strengthened its position as a key regional stakeholder, and a new Arctic Urban–Regional Cooperation Program has been launched. While this suggests that municipalities may be replacing regions as the most prominent subnational drivers of cross-border collaboration, their policy areas remain unclear. The institutional frameworks supporting collaboration among Arctic and northern subnational governments have not proved more flexible than those established by states. Moreover, subnational authorities have not challenged their respective central governments by deviating from national policies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"44 ","pages":"Article 101172"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144365185","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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