Die Auswirkungen des Klimawandels manifestieren sich in der Arktis viel schneller als irgendwo sonst auf der Erde. Klimabedingte Veränderungen in Kombination mit lokalen menschlichen Einflüssen belasten die arktischen Ökosysteme schwer. Die daraus folgenden Umweltbedingungen bedrohen auch die Lebensgrundlagen indigener Volksgruppen.

Narratives play an important role in shaping conflicts over land use and resource management, as different perceptions of particular places and their desired development are often at the heart of such conflicts. In this study, we examine how a conflict over proposed amendments to regulations on Svalbard can be understood through narratives.

This paper explores the challenges and key enablers of transdisciplinary research in the specific context of Svalbard, offering methodological perspectives and recommendations. The interconnected climatic and socioeconomic changes in Svalbard call for collaboration across disciplines, as well as societal stakeholders. Such integrative research collaboration is conceptualised as a transdisciplinary approach.

Climate change causes temperature and light to change drastically in Arctic fjords, being the main drivers for ecosystem-engineering seaweeds (kelps; Laminariales, Phaeophyceae). Climate projections on kelps are often based on static performance curves, treating species as one homogenous unit with similar tolerances within their entire biogeographical range.

Tourism is a significant sector on the Svalbard archipelago. The increase in visitors and tourism activities has reshaped the local community of Longyearbyen, brought new economic opportunities, and put greater pressure on the local environment. Tourism operators address ways to integrate the concept of sustainability in their products, management, and communications, as well as focus on selected sustainable development goals (SDGs).

On 16 September 2025, Víctor González Triginer successfully defended his PhD thesis, entitled "Ecological transitions in Arctic marine ecosystems - Macroalgal settlement, pelagic density, and fish community shifts associated with glacier retreat and Atlantification". Prior to the defense, Víctor presented a trial lecture with the title “Integrating Underwater Acoustics, Optics, and Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Marine Ecosystem Monitoring”.

On 16 September 2025, Víctor González Triginer successfully defended his PhD thesis, entitled "Ecological transitions in Arctic marine ecosystems - Macroalgal settlement, pelagic density, and fish community shifts associated with glacier retreat and Atlantification". Prior to the defense, Víctor presented a trial lecture with the title “Integrating Underwater Acoustics, Optics, and Artificial Intelligence for Advanced Marine Ecosystem Monitoring”.

The Arctic Economic Council launched a new book: The Arctic Encyclopaedia. This unique book presents a mosaic of Arctic experiences—defined one word at a time. Prime Ministers, senators, artists, Indigenous youth, CEOs, and academics from across six continents have joined forces in a unique and unprecedented book about the Arctic.

Fjords in the Arctic are changing rapidly due to multiple factors including increasing air temperatures, the influx of Atlantic Water (Atlantification), sea-ice loss, retreat of tidewater glaciers, increased freshwater discharges, pollution and tourism. Understanding how these changes affect ecosystem processes and functions and, thus, services to society is critical.