Collectively, we need to accelerate Arctic specimen sampling

Abstract

Natural history collections are not often thought of as observatories, but they are increasingly being used as such to observe biological systems and changes within them. Objects and the data associated with them are archived for present and future research. These specimen collections provide many diverse scientific benefits, helping us understand not only individual species or populations but also the environments in which they live(d). Despite these benefits, the specimen resource is inadequate to the tasks being asked of it — there are many gaps, taxonomically and in time and space. We examine and highlight some of these gaps using bird collections as an example. Given the speed of climate change in the Arctic, we need to collectively work to fill these gaps so we can develop and wield the science that will make us better stewards of Arctic environments.

Keywords

• natural history collections
• specimens
• biodiversity
• climate change
• contaminants
• food webs
• disease
• genomics
• environmental science