Climatic and biotic extreme events moderate long-term responses of above- and belowground sub-Arctic heathland communities to climate change

Abstract

Climate change impacts are not uniform across the Arctic region because interacting factors causes large variations in local ecosystem change. Extreme climatic events and population cycles of herbivores occur simultaneously against a background of gradual climate warming trends and can redirect ecosystem change along routes that are difficult to predict. Here, we present the results from sub-Arctic heath vegetation and its belowground micro-arthropod community in response to the two main drivers of vegetation damage in this region: extreme winter warming events and subsequent outbreaks of the defoliating autumnal moth caterpillar (Epirrita autumnata). Cryptogam; Empetrum nigrum; Epirrita autumnata: Herbivory; Hylocomium splendens; Isotomiella minor; Mites; Multiple stress; Snow; Springtails;