Arctic residents in particular, but also the world at large, have been increasingly demanding timely and accurate information on how the Arctic is responding to such pressures as climate change. Until now, this has largely been met with silence. To date, we have mostly relied on climate information and sea ice extent as indicators of how the Arctic is changing.  But what of the wildlife that inhabits the Arctic? How are they responding to these pressures?

With the Arctic Species Trend Index (ASTI) we can now begin to track how the Arctic’s ecosystems and the living resources dependent upon them are responding to change. Almost 1000 datasets representing 35% of all known vertebrate species are found in the ASTI--a significant accomplishment and recognition of the sustained effort and dedication of Arctic researchers and communities who have been tracking wildlife populations over the past four decades and beyond in a remote and challenging environment.

As the world prepares to report on the Convention on Biological Diversity’s 2010 target to reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity, indicators such as the ASTI provide important information on regional biodiversity trends.