Pub Date : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101216
M. Koike , M. Takigawa , S. Morimoto , K. Adachi , T. Aizawa , N. Chandra , R. Fujita , D. Goto , S. Ishidoya , K. Ishijima , A. Ito , K. Kawai , Y. Kanaya , Y. Kim , T. Kinase , Y. Kondo , T. Machida , H. Matsui , T. Miyakawa , M. Mochida , C. Zhu
This paper reviews studies of atmospheric climate forcers, namely, greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols, and their impacts on radiation and clouds in the Arctic during the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project conducted between 2020 and 2024. In GHG research, we measured atmospheric mixing ratios of CO2, CH4, and N2O and their isotope ratios, as well as O2/N2 ratios from the ground, ship (research vessel Mirai), and commercial aircraft over the northern high latitudes. We showed that the rapid increase of CH4 mixing ratios after ∼2018 could be attributed to elevated microbial CH4 emissions. The increase of N2O after ∼2011 was attributable to an increase of N2O emissions from soil treated with chemical fertilizer. In aerosol research, we provided a scientific basis for constructing unified black carbon (BC) datasets in the Arctic and estimated the contributions to Arctic BC from biomass-burning and anthropogenic sources in various regions. We showed the abundance of highly active ice nucleating particles (INPs) increased with rising surface temperatures above 0 °C and evaluated impacts of Arctic dust that serve as INP on clouds. We found that marine biota were likely the sources of cloud condensation nuclei and INPs over the remote Arctic Ocean during periods of high biological activity.
{"title":"Studies of atmospheric climate forcers in the Arctic during the ArCS II project","authors":"M. Koike , M. Takigawa , S. Morimoto , K. Adachi , T. Aizawa , N. Chandra , R. Fujita , D. Goto , S. Ishidoya , K. Ishijima , A. Ito , K. Kawai , Y. Kanaya , Y. Kim , T. Kinase , Y. Kondo , T. Machida , H. Matsui , T. Miyakawa , M. Mochida , C. Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101216","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101216","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span>This paper reviews studies of atmospheric climate forcers, namely, greenhouse gases (GHGs) and aerosols, and their impacts on radiation and clouds in the Arctic during the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project conducted between 2020 and 2024. In GHG research, we measured atmospheric mixing ratios of CO</span><sub>2</sub>, CH<sub>4</sub>, and N<sub>2</sub><span>O and their isotope ratios, as well as O</span><sub>2</sub>/N<sub>2</sub> ratios from the ground, ship (research vessel <em>Mirai</em>), and commercial aircraft over the northern high latitudes. We showed that the rapid increase of CH<sub>4</sub> mixing ratios after ∼2018 could be attributed to elevated microbial CH<sub>4</sub> emissions. The increase of N<sub>2</sub>O after ∼2011 was attributable to an increase of N<sub>2</sub><span>O emissions from soil treated with chemical fertilizer<span><span><span>. In aerosol research, we provided a scientific basis for constructing unified black carbon (BC) datasets in the Arctic and estimated the contributions to Arctic BC from biomass-burning and anthropogenic sources in various regions. We showed the abundance of highly active ice nucleating particles (INPs) increased with rising surface temperatures above 0 °C and evaluated impacts of Arctic dust that serve as INP on clouds. We found that </span>marine biota were likely the sources of </span>cloud condensation nuclei<span> and INPs over the remote Arctic Ocean during periods of high biological activity.</span></span></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101216"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335204","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 : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101164
Hideki Kobayashi , Masaki Uchida , Tetsuo Sueyoshi , Shota Masumoto , Shu-Kuan Wong , Keita Nishizawa , Naoto Shinohara , Akira S. Mori , Masahito Ueyama , Keiko Konya , Tetsuya Hiyama , Hironari Kanamori , Kazuyuki Saito , Tokuta Yokohata , Hotaek Park , Xinyu Xu
The terrestrial program of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability-II (ArCS II) is dedicated to clarifying the complex responses of Arctic boreal ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles to a warming climate. Focusing on ecosystem function, terrestrial greenhouse gas dynamics, and permafrost and biogeochemical cycles, ArCS II targets key challenges posed by climate change across terrestrial ecosystems. Biodiversity and ecosystem function research emphasizes the interactions between plant and soil microbial communities across Arctic boreal regions, with discoveries such as new fungal species contributing valuable information elucidating the status of Arctic ecosystems. Our study revealed that vegetation has a significant impact on the composition and network structure of microbial communities, and these interactions may influence ecosystem responses to environmental changes. Greenhouse gas dynamics were analyzed using long-term carbon and methane emissions data collected in boreal forests, tundra, wetlands, and glacial termini, as emissions from these regions can accelerate warming. Plant-mediated methane transport was identified as the primary process driving methane emission from wetlands, and elevated methane concentrations were detected in some glacial meltwaters. ArCS II advances permafrost modeling to assess the impacts of thawing on terrestrial processes, emphasizing freeze–thaw cycles and their impact on greenhouse gas dynamics. Excess ice formed within permafrost plays a role in suppressing permafrost warming and may induce anomalous variations in greenhouse gas emissions. Despite limitations imposed on field surveys by COVID-19, the ArCS II project elucidated ecosystem changes using long-term data. ArCS II terrestrial research lays a foundation for the exploration of climate impacts on Arctic boreal ecosystems.
{"title":"Studies of arctic–boreal ecosystem function and biogeochemical cycles in the ArCS II terrestrial program","authors":"Hideki Kobayashi , Masaki Uchida , Tetsuo Sueyoshi , Shota Masumoto , Shu-Kuan Wong , Keita Nishizawa , Naoto Shinohara , Akira S. Mori , Masahito Ueyama , Keiko Konya , Tetsuya Hiyama , Hironari Kanamori , Kazuyuki Saito , Tokuta Yokohata , Hotaek Park , Xinyu Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101164","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101164","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><span><span>The terrestrial program of the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability-II (ArCS II) is dedicated to clarifying the complex responses of Arctic boreal ecosystems and biogeochemical cycles<span><span> to a warming climate. Focusing on ecosystem function, terrestrial greenhouse gas dynamics, and permafrost and </span>biogeochemical cycles<span>, ArCS II targets key challenges posed by climate change across </span></span></span>terrestrial ecosystems. Biodiversity and ecosystem function research emphasizes the interactions between plant and soil </span>microbial communities<span> across Arctic boreal regions, with discoveries such as new fungal species contributing valuable information elucidating the status of Arctic ecosystems<span><span>. Our study revealed that vegetation has a significant impact on the composition and network structure of microbial communities<span>, and these interactions may influence ecosystem responses to environmental changes. Greenhouse gas dynamics were analyzed using long-term carbon and methane emissions data collected in boreal forests, tundra, wetlands, and glacial termini, as emissions from these regions can accelerate warming. Plant-mediated methane transport was identified as the primary process driving methane emission from wetlands, and elevated methane concentrations were detected in some glacial </span></span>meltwaters<span>. ArCS II advances permafrost modeling to assess the impacts of thawing on terrestrial processes, emphasizing freeze–thaw cycles and their impact on greenhouse gas dynamics. Excess ice formed within permafrost plays a role in suppressing permafrost warming and may induce anomalous variations in greenhouse gas emissions. Despite limitations imposed on field surveys by COVID-19, the ArCS II project elucidated ecosystem changes using long-term data. ArCS II terrestrial research lays a foundation for the exploration of climate impacts on Arctic boreal ecosystems.</span></span></span></div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101164"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335208","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 : 2025-09-01DOI: 10.1016/j.polar.2025.101268
Motoyoshi Ikeda
ArCS II (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II) Project was a Japanese national research project on Arctic change that lasted approximately five years from June 2020 to March 2025. ArCS II was to promote advanced research, such as understanding environmental change in the Arctic region, clarifying its processes, and improving weather forecasting, to realize a sustainable society. The project assessed the impact of significant environmental changes in the Arctic on human society, including Japan, and provided stakeholders with basic scientific knowledge for legal and policy responses to rule-making in the Arctic, to realize the results of this research in society. Research subjects ranged from natural sciences to the humanities and social sciences, engineering, and international law and policy. This special issue introduces the activities and achievements of ArCS II through nine review articles covering a wide range of fields.
{"title":"Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II (ArCS II) project","authors":"Motoyoshi Ikeda","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101268","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101268","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>ArCS II (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II) Project was a Japanese national research project on Arctic change that lasted approximately five years from June 2020 to March 2025. ArCS II was to promote advanced research, such as understanding environmental change in the Arctic region, clarifying its processes, and improving weather forecasting, to realize a sustainable society. The project assessed the impact of significant environmental changes in the Arctic on human society, including Japan, and provided stakeholders with basic scientific knowledge for legal and policy responses to rule-making in the Arctic, to realize the results of this research in society. Research subjects ranged from natural sciences to the humanities and social sciences, engineering, and international law and policy. This special issue introduces the activities and achievements of ArCS II through nine review articles covering a wide range of fields.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101268"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335210","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}
Coastal environments in the Arctic are increasingly affected by the rapidly changing climate. Significant and complex impacts of atmospheric warming have been intensifying, with changes observed both in terrestrial and marine environments. Here, we describe the overview and highlight the study results of multidisciplinary research activities performed under the ArCS II project (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II) in the Qaanaaq coastal region of northwestern Greenland. The Japanese Arctic projects GRENE-Arctic and ArCS have conducted research at this study site since 2012. In continuity with these previous efforts, field and satellite measurements were carried out to quantify glacier and ice sheet changes. Fish, marine mammals and seabirds, which are key natural resources to human livelihoods, were studied in collaboration with local fishermen and hunters to examine habitat use and clarify the potential responses of marine ecosystems to the changing environments. Greenlandic villages are also directly affected by the flooding of glacial streams and landslides, which were monitored to better understand the driving mechanisms and risks to Arctic societies in the future. Research was also carried out in Qaanaaq village to investigate waste management and housing conditions. The study results were shared with residents through workshops that took place in Qaanaaq and nearby smaller villages. Our results show that coastal environments in northwestern Greenland are changing with increasingly evident impact on human livelihoods. Further collaboration with the villagers, notably in co-designing research questions and interests, is crucial to anticipate, reduce and mitigate the impacts of environmental changes on Arctic communities.
{"title":"Changes in the coastal environments and their impact on society in the Qaanaaq region, northwestern Greenland","authors":"Shin Sugiyama , Atsushi Yamaguchi , Tatsuya Watanabe , Yasumasa Tojo , Naotaka Hayashi , Jean-Baptiste Thiebot , Makoto Tomiyasu , Kohei Hasegawa , Yoko Mitani , Mayuko Otsuki , Yuta Sakuragi , Monica Ogawa , Kenzo Tanaka , Kaisei Sakurai , Kohei Matsuno , Naoya Kanna , Evgeny Podolskiy , Ryo Kusaka , Yefan Wang , Takuro Imazu , Toku Oshima","doi":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101206","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.polar.2025.101206","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Coastal environments in the Arctic are increasingly affected by the rapidly changing climate. Significant and complex impacts of atmospheric warming have been intensifying, with changes observed both in terrestrial and marine environments. Here, we describe the overview and highlight the study results of multidisciplinary research activities performed under the ArCS II project (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability II) in the Qaanaaq coastal region of northwestern Greenland. The Japanese Arctic projects GRENE-Arctic and ArCS have conducted research at this study site since 2012. In continuity with these previous efforts, field and satellite measurements were carried out to quantify glacier and ice sheet changes. Fish, marine mammals and seabirds, which are key natural resources to human livelihoods, were studied in collaboration with local fishermen and hunters to examine habitat use and clarify the potential responses of marine ecosystems to the changing environments. Greenlandic villages are also directly affected by the flooding of glacial streams and landslides, which were monitored to better understand the driving mechanisms and risks to Arctic societies in the future. Research was also carried out in Qaanaaq village to investigate waste management and housing conditions. The study results were shared with residents through workshops that took place in Qaanaaq and nearby smaller villages. Our results show that coastal environments in northwestern Greenland are changing with increasingly evident impact on human livelihoods. Further collaboration with the villagers, notably in co-designing research questions and interests, is crucial to anticipate, reduce and mitigate the impacts of environmental changes on Arctic communities.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20316,"journal":{"name":"Polar Science","volume":"45 ","pages":"Article 101206"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145335212","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}
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 : 2025-09-01DOI: 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 : 2025-09-01DOI: 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 : 2025-06-01DOI: 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.
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