Arctic Biodiversity Assessment - the first account of species-, ecosystem- and genetic diversity of the circumpolar North

Hans Meltofte, Chief Scientist, Arctic Biodiversity Congress

Plenary Address

December 2, 2014, Trondheim, Norway

The Arctic Biodiversity Assessment is the concerted effort during five years of 252 scientists from 14 countries including 35 lead authors from both N America and Eurasia. More than 4500 scientific papers have been referred to, and about 100 scientists have contributed as referees including that the report has been through at least 20 critical reviews. About 65 TEK contributions have been cited, and more than 2 million US$ have been invested. The team of authors have done their outmost to produce a comprehensive and correct account of Arctic biodiversity and its living conditions both in relation to the natural environment and in relation to man – historically, at present and in relation to expected future pressures. The overarching conclusion is that climate change is by far the most serious threat to biodiversity in the Arctic, and there is an immediate need to implement actions to reduce this stressor.