Proceedings of the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Science Initiative (CAVSI), Fourth International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) Science Sessions, 25 and 27 March 2025, Boulder, CO

This proceedings volume brings together a collection 39 abstracts that were presented during two linked sessions at the ICARP IV Summit at Arctic Science Summit Week in Boulder, Colorado (25–28 March 2025): (1) 10 abstracts from the session titled "Back to the Future II – Linking Past and Future IPY Terrestrial Biodiversity Efforts" and 29 abstracts from the session titled "Building a Time Machine Out of a DeLorean: Observing, Re-constructing, and Predicting Vegetation Change in the Arctic"; plus 4 abstract presented by Russian participants during the CAVSI Workshop, 21-23 March.
The presentations showcased innovations in field methods, genetics, remote sensing, ecological modeling, and community collaboration—including the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems. The 1-page abstracts include a thumbnail of the posters or a highlighted illustration from the oral presentations. Lead authors represented over 35 institutions across 11 countries underscoring the global commitment to Arctic vegetation science.
These science sessions accompanied the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Science Initiative (CAVSI) Workshop that was held a few days earlier, 21-23 March, during the Business and Community Meetings of Arctic Science Summit Week 2025. The workshop produced key recommendations to address Arctic research priorities in the coming decade leading up to the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5, 2032-2033). The CAVSI Workshop recommendations were presented in a White Paper that included tasks to: (1) establish a CAVSI organizing group and an early-career Arctic vegetation science group; (2) develop an Arctic Vegetation Observing Network (AVON); (3) adopt standardized protocols for species lists, vegetation sampling, monitoring, archiving, classification, and mapping; and (4) apply the products to priority IPY-5 research topics. The CAVSI White Paper, titled "The Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Science Initiative (CAVSI): A framework to help guide the next decade of Arctic vegetation research" is archived at the Arctic Data Center, doi:10.18739/A2T43J49W.