A new peer-reviewed special issue titled “Sustainability Challenges in the Arctic: Exploring Land Use Changes and their Impacts” has been published in the Journal of Land Use Science. The collection brings together voices in Arctic research to examine how rapidly shifting land-use patterns, climatic change and economic pressure reshape the European Arctic. This special issue aims to contribute to a better understanding of the complex socio-economic challenges currently facing the Arctic.

The issue highlights how drivers such as mining expansion, infrastructure development, forestry, tourism, fish farming and aquaculture activities are accelerating the transformation of Arctic landscapes. The editors argue that these shifts are deeply intertwined with social, ecological and governance challenges—and call for integrative approaches that go beyond conventional environmental assessments.

Contributions

• Elomina, Jerbelle; Živojinović, Ivana; Robertsen, Roy; Tuulentie, Seija; Rautio, Pasi (2025): Learnings from the changing Arctic: economy, society, and sustainability. Editorial. In Journal of Land Use Science 20 (1), pp. 264–275. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2025.2576064.
• Suopajärvi, Leena; Tikkanen, Juulia; Edvardsdóttir, Anna Guðrún; Engen, Sigrid; Inkilä, Esa; Iversen, Audun et al. (2024): Geopolitical tensions framing different industries in the European Arctic: aquaculture, forestry, mining, and tourism in question. In Journal of Land Use Science 19 (1), pp. 121–133. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2024.2357576.
• Nygaard, V.; Engen, S.; Suopajärvi, L.; Edvardsdóttir, A. G.; Iversen, A.; Bogadóttir, R. et al. (2024): Industry-specific impacts of global drivers in the European Arctic. In Journal of Land Use Science 19 (1), pp. 150–169. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2024.2358951.
• Živojinović, Ivana; Elomina, Jerbelle; Pülzl, Helga; et al (2024): Exploring land use conflicts arising from economic activities and their impacts on local communities in the European Arctic. In Journal of Land Use Science 19 (1), pp. 186–210. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2024.2382676.
• Turunen, M. T.; Rikkonen, T.; Nikula, A.; Tuulentie, S.; Rautio, P. (2024): Between the local and the global? – reindeer herders’ perspectives on land use challenges and conflicts in the Sámi homeland, Finland. In Journal of Land Use Science 19 (1), pp. 134–149. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2024.2359606.
• Tømmervik, Hans; Thuestad, Alma; Stien, Jennifer; Klemetsen Arneberg, Marit; Bjerke, Jarle W. (2025): High-arctic cultural heritage environments are deteriorated by cruise tourism: a case study from Svalbard. In Journal of Land Use Science 20 (1), pp. 45–60. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2025.2476948.
• Sarkki, Simo; Rasmus, Sirpa; Habeck, Joachim Otto; Matthes, Heidrun; Pihlajamäki, Mia; Eronen, Jussi T. (2025): Exploring the land-use futures related to reindeer herding in Finland through “wild logic” scenarios. In Journal of Land Use Science 20 (1), pp. 151–175. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2025.2504420.
• Flick, Helge Marius; Teräs, Jukka Tapani; Kårtveit, Bård Helge (2025): Applying the DPSIR framework to a Nordic Arctic context – opportunities and challenges. In Journal of Land Use Science 20 (1), pp. 197–220. DOI: 10.1080/1747423X.2025.2557798.