CITIZEN SCIENCE AS ATOOL FOR INFORMATION SUPPORT OF DECISION-MAKING IN THE RUSSIAN ARCTIC UNDER CONDITIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Authors:   Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North, Federal Research Centre “Kola Science Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, Riabova L. A. , Klyuchnikova E. M. ,   Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North, Federal Research Centre “Kola Science Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, Borovichev E. A. ,   Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North, Federal Research Centre “Kola Science Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences, Masloboev V. A. ,   Institute of Industrial Ecology Problems of the North, Federal Research Centre “Kola Science Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences
Published: March 2021

Rapid climate change in the Arctic requires management solutions that are based on timely and reliable factual data. In this context, the urgency ofthe problem of finding effective ways for obtaining such information is increasing. This article aims to substantiate the possibility of using citizen science as a new tool for information support of decision-making with respect to the socio-economic development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, and as a tool especially necessary when developing strategies for adaptation to climate change. Citizen science is a concept that implies increasing openness of science to society and the conduct of scientific research with the involvement of volunteers. The article provides an overview of the content of the concept of citizen science andthe principles and methods on which it is based.The article describes the results of an interdisciplinary study to identify the perceptions of inhabitants of the Murmansk region on climate change and the presumably associated with it changes in biodiversity in this region of the Russian Arctic. For the first time, based on the methods of citizen science, the data on theperceptions of inhabitants of the Murmansk region on climate and biodiversity changes in the region over a thirty-year period hasbeen obtained, and the comparisons of this information with the data from scientific observations were made. It was identified that inhabitants distinguish several trends in climate change in the region, consistent with the data of meteorological observations: climate warming, especially in the winter months; increased weather variability; increased duration of the off-season periods. Matching the observations of the respondents with biological scientific data made it possible to conclude that as a result of the combined influence of natural and anthropogenic factors (including climatic ones) new species of pests and fungi appeared in the region, and the number and proportion of valuable fish species within the basin of Lake Imandra have declined. It is shown that the subjective perceptionsof climate change should be taken into account in the management process, since this is oneof the key characteristics of the comfort of people living in the territory and a motive for actions, including adaptation.The article offers proposals on the inclusion of citizen scientists and citizen science data in the governing process through inter-sectoral commissions for the development of strategies for adaptation to climate change and other institutions of public participation.