Herbivores in Arctic ecosystems: Effects of climate change and implications for carbon and nutrient cycling

WashU Affiliated Authors: Amanda M. Koltz (Biology)

Abstract: Arctic terrestrial herbivores influence tundra carbon and nutrient dynamics through
their consumption of resources, waste production, and habitat-modifying behaviors.
The strength of these effects is likely to change spatially and temporally as climate
change drives shifts in herbivore abundance, distribution, and activity timing. Here, we
review how herbivores influence tundra carbon and nutrient dynamics through their
consumptive and nonconsumptive effects. We also present evidence for herbivore
responses to climate change and discuss how these responses may alter the spatial
and temporal distribution of herbivore impacts. Several current knowledge gaps limit
our understanding of the changing functional roles of herbivores; these include limited
characterization of the spatial and temporal variability in herbivore impacts and of how
herbivore activities influence the cycling of elements beyond carbon. We conclude by
highlighting approaches that will promote better understanding of herbivore effects
on tundra ecosystems, including their integration into existing biogeochemical models,
new applications of remote sensing techniques, and the continued use of distributed
experiments.

Citation/DOI: Koltz, A. M., Gough, L., & McLaren, J. R. (2022). Herbivores in Arctic ecosystems: Effects of climate change and implications for carbon and nutrient cycling. Ann NY Acad Sci., 1516, 28–47. DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14863