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;
