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We conducted a manipulative experiment to quantify the impact of small mammal herbivores on the belowground biogeochemistry of the tundra at three sites near Toolik Lake, Alaska. At each site we set up grazing fences in July of 2018 to simulate different levels of small mammal herbivore (vole and lemming) activity. Each site had 3 treatment plots and a control plot: 1)Exclosure treatments (EX) were 8 meter (m) x 8m square mesh fences 2) control plots (CT) were 8m x 8m unfenced plots marked with pin flags at corners 3) press treatments (PR) were 20m x 20m square mesh fences stocked with 4 tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus) every summer except for 2024 and 4) pulse treatments (PU) where we stocked the fence with 4 voles in 2018 and then removed and excluded voles from 2019 onward. At each site we collected temperature measurements using iButton data loggers from the soil surface, the soil organic layer, and the soil mineral layer every 4 hours from 2018 - 2024. iButton loggers were removed and replaced after soil thaw every summer. 

We conducted a manipulative experiment to quantify the impact of small mammal herbivores on the belowground biogeochemistry of the tundra at three sites near Toolik Lake, Alaska. At each site we set up grazing fences in July of 2018 to simulate different levels of small mammal herbivore (vole and lemming) activity. Each site had 3 treatment plots and a control plot: 1)Exclosure treatments (EX) were 8 meter (m) x 8m square mesh fences 2) control plots (CT) were 8m x 8m unfenced plots marked with pin flags at corners 3) press treatments (PR) were 20m x 20m square mesh fences stocked with 4 tundra voles (Microtus oeconomus) every summer and 4) pulse treatments (PU) where we stocked the fence with 4 voles in 2018 and then removed and excluded voles from 2019-2022. At each site we collected 10 thaw depth measurements along a transect from each treatment. 

This data describes above-ground and below-ground variables collected under small mammal-built structures and control sites from two tundra locations in polygonal tundra near Utqiagvik, Alaska, USA. Small mammal structures sampled included hay piles (winter nests), runways, latrines, and burrow entrances. Above-ground data collected include relative percent cover, litter depth, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index. Below-ground data collected include inorganic soil nutrients, total extractable soil nutrients, microbial biomass nutrients, microbial exo-enzyme activities, soil pH, soil conductivity, soil temperature, and soil respiration. 

Soil and plant sampling analysis under small mammal-built structures and controls sites from near the Team Vole fences: Nome, Toolik, Utqiagvik, AK 2018-2020. 

Percent cover of tundra vole and brown lemming structures collected from within the Team Vole enclosure/exclosure fences near Nome, Toolik, Utqiagvik, AK 2019. 

Herbivores are an integral part of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems, driving ecosystem functioning and sustaining local livelihoods. In the context of accelerated climate warming and land use changes, understanding how herbivores contribute to the resilience of Arctic socio-ecological systems is essential to guide sound decision-making and mitigation strategies. While research on Arctic herbivory has a long tradition, recent literature syntheses highlight important geographical, taxonomic, and environmental knowledge gaps on the impacts of herbivores across the region. At the same time, climate change and limited resources impose an urgent need to prioritize research and management efforts. We conducted a horizon scan within the Arctic herbivory research community to identify emerging scientific and management priorities for the next decade. From 288 responses received from 85 participants in two online surveys and an in-person workshop, we identified 8 scientific and 8 management priorities centred on (a) understanding and integrating fundamental ecological processes across multiple scales from individual herbivore–plant interactions up to regional and decadal scale vegetation and animal population effects; (b) evaluating climate change feedbacks; and (c) developing new research methods. Our analysis provides a strategic framework for broad, inclusive, interdisciplinary collaborations to optimise terrestrial herbivory research and sustainable management practices in a rapidly changing Arctic.