In general, changes in arctic environment and society, the interactions within and among social-ecological systems, are studied within the framework of the subject matter. Direct involvement of local and indigenous peoples and the valuing of ’traditional’ or practitioners’ knowledge are critical within certain projects.
Research topics includes responses of tundra flora and
fauna, changes in environment due to oil and mineral
extraction, adaptation of nature and arctic communities on changes, and
effects of resource use on biodiversity. Glaciological climate change research addresses polar and alpine snow and glacier ice cover over both shorter and longer time scales.