My postdoc investigates the complex interactions and causal links between permafrost thaw, vegetation change, and herbivory, and their implications for Arctic social-ecological systems.
The research is conducted under the leadership of Associate Professor Matthias Siewert, and as part of Work Package (WP) 2 – Plants and Animals of the EU Horizon ILLUQ (Permafrost – Pollution – Health) project.
Our primary objectives include 1) identifying, mapping and projecting the local impacts of permafrost thaw on vegetation productivity, herbivore activity, and harvesting, and 2) correlating these findings with broader environmental patterns captured through satellite imagery and time series.
To achieve these objectives, a combination of remote-sensing techniques (unmanned aerial vehicle and satellite imagery), field investigations (vegetation and herbivory surveys), and integration of traditional knowledge (engagement with local- and rights-holders and participatory mapping) will be used in several Arctic regions (Canada, Greenland, and Svalbard).
Embedded within the One Health framework, our project aims to comprehensively assess the risks from permafrost thaw to plant, animal, and human health, and to deepen our understanding of permafrost ecosystems. Ultimately, we strive to provide valuable insights informing and supporting the subsistence practices, resilience, and traditional ways of life of Arctic communities living on permafrost.