Project Summary
Climate-driven environmental change and ongoing infrastructure development is impacting permafrost landscapes across the Arctic, including in Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland). There is a need for sustained environmental monitoring that addresses priorities of local rights and stakeholders to inform land use management and sustainable development practices. The Arctic Circle Trail, a popular hiking route between Sisimiut and Kangerlussuaq, Southwest Greenland, is increasing in popularity each year. As the trail passes through a UNESCO World Heritage Site and culturally significant areas, there are concerns about the environmental and cultural impacts of increasing hiker presence across these sensitive areas.
To address these concerns and inform sustainable management and tourism practices, an environmental monitoring network is needed to monitor environmental change along the trail. Successive projects have enabled the development of relationships between Terrestrial Working Group members, municipality representatives, local businesses, and Greenlandic research institutes to identify monitoring priorities. To help guide the development of a comprehensive monitoring network that can overtime become sustained, further meetings with local rights and stakeholders are necessary to co-develop appropriate and accessible monitoring priorities. This will help inform sustainable planning for both the hiking trail and future infrastructure projects in a region experiencing rapid environmental changes.
Date and Location:
TBC I Greenland
IASC Working Group / Committees funding the Project:
- Terrestrial WG
Project Lead
Millicent Harding (Durham University, UK)
Year funded by IASC
2025
Project Status
Upcoming