How Arctic shrubs respond to warming temperaturesThis project is led by the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Canada. The research team includes Professor Vincent Maire and a graduate student, Florence Gagné, along with supporting students. The project is part of an academic research program on Arctic ecosystems.This project studies how Arctic shrub plants respond to temperature changes by measuring how their leaves capture carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Fieldwork will focus on four common shrub species found in the Arctic (Salix arctica, S. reticulata, S. richardsonii, Betula glandulosa). Small branches will be collected from selected plants, and measurements of photosynthesis will be conducted using a portable scientific instrument. Soil samples and environmental conditions (such as temperature and humidity) will also be recorded to better understand how local conditions influence plant functioning. The work is low-impact: only small amounts of plant material will be collected, soil samples are limited in size and restored immediately, and temporary sensors will be installed and removed after use. No permanent structures will be built.The Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the world, and shrubs are becoming more abundant across the landscape. These changes can affect how much carbon is stored or released by ecosystems, which has important consequences for climate change. However, scientists still do not fully understand how Arctic plants respond to temperature. This project aims to improve this understanding by identifying the temperatures at which shrubs function best and how they adjust to environmental conditions. The results will help improve scientific models used to predict climate change and ecosystem responses in the Arctic.The project will take place in the Qikiqtani Region, Nunavut, primarily within Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park (Iqaluit Kuunga), near the city of Iqaluit. Study sites will be selected within the park to represent different soil and environmental conditions. All activities will be conducted on foot within the sites, with access to the park by existing routes.Fieldwork will occur during the summer growing season of 2026. The main data collection will take place between mid-July and late July, with a short follow-up visit in early August to remove equipment. The project is seasonal and does not involve long-term installations.