Project information
ARCTIC Centre for Human-to-Environment Oriented Studies: Impact of Climate Change and Human Activities in the Arctic
(ARCTOS MU)
- Project Identification
- MUNI/G/1540/2019
- Project Period
- 3/2020 - 12/2025
- Investor / Pogramme / Project type
-
Masaryk University
- Grant Agency of Masaryk University
- INTERDISCIPLINARY - Interdisciplinary research projects
- MU Faculty or unit
- Faculty of Science
- Other MU Faculty/Unit
- Faculty of Law
- Other MU Faculty/Unit
- Faculty of Social Studies
The objective of the project is to investigate the impact of climate change and human activities on natural environment in the Arctic. The research focuses on both the challenges and risk assessment in terrestrial ecosystems. The research team will investigate the relation of natural environment changes to the human-to-environment interaction, as well as the consequences for the geopolitical, legal and security developments in the Arctic region. Based on gained findings, the team will develop risks analysis and recommendations for mitigating the impact of environmental changes on the natural environment and population in the specific Arctic territories.
One of the key outputs of the project is the ARCTOS MU: ARCTIC Centre for Human-to-Environment Oriented Studies (ARCTOS) at Masaryk University (MU). By establishing the Centre, MU will (i) directly contribute to encouraging interdisciplinary innovative research with high added value and international impact, (ii) enhance the prestige of the Arctic-related research, and (iii) increase international cooperation. The interdisciplinary team will be composed of eight scientists with different specialization from three faculties of the Masaryk University – Faculty of Social Studies, Faculty of Science, and Faculty of Law. The Centre will serve as a platform for enhancing future interdisciplinary research and cooperation with the ambition to succeed in international prestigious grant applications.
Innovative aspects of the project lie in the interdisciplinary character of the Arctic research across different specializations – natural science, social science and law, which has not been combined and investigated yet. Additionally, the project is unique due to its specific science communication and dissemination of research findings. The project is unique in its science communication and dissemination of research findings, which aims at four levels of audiences – (i) academic community, (ii) policymakers, (iii) general public, and (iv) students. In addition, the research project supports the inclusion of female scientists.
Sustainable Development Goals
Masaryk University is committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to improve the conditions and quality of life on our planet by 2030.
Publications
Total number of publications: 25
2025
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A growing anthropogenic impact on the Arctic environment affects the ecology of polar vegetation
CZECH POLAR REPORTS, year: 2025, volume: 15, edition: October, DOI
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Climate change in Arctic terrestrial ecosystems with particular attention to the vegetation of Svalbard
CZECH POLAR REPORTS, year: 2025, volume: 15, edition: October, DOI
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Environmental changes in Svalbard since the termination of the Little Ice Age: Towards a warmer and less icy future
CZECH POLAR REPORTS, year: 2025, volume: 15, edition: August, DOI
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From Arctic exceptionalism to military-driven geopolitics : Cooperation and conflict after Russia's invasion of the Ukraine
Czech Polar Reports, year: 2025, volume: 15, edition: S, DOI
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Holocene relative sea level changes and their consequences for the development of the palaeoshoreline in central Svalbard
CZECH POLAR REPORTS, year: 2025, volume: 15, edition: Special Issue, DOI
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Russian natural gas projects in the Arctic : A new hope for ailing exports?
Czech Polar Reports, year: 2025, volume: 15, edition: S, DOI
2024
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Capturing the transition from marine to land-terminating glacier from the 126-year retreat history of Nordenskioldbreen, Svalbard
Journal of Glaciology, year: 2024, volume: 70, edition: November 2023, DOI
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Proglacial lake evolution coincident with glacier dynamics in the frontal zone of Kvíárjökull, South-East Iceland
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, year: 2024, volume: 49, edition: 5, DOI
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Strained Relations in the High North : Steps-to-War Analysis of Conflict Potential in the Arctic
Europe-Asia Studies, year: 2024, volume: 76, edition: 3, DOI
2023
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Glacier decay boosts the formation of new Arctic coastal environments—Perspectives from Svalbard
Land Degradation & Development, year: 2023, volume: 34, edition: 12, DOI