Improving Data at Arctic Research Stations - A Case Study from INTERACT

The International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic (INTERACT) is a network of 99 research stations across Arctic, boreal, and alpine regions, offering a platform for environmental research and long-term monitoring. As part of the EU-funded Arctic PASSION project, we collaborated with ten INTERACT stations to improve terrestrial monitoring across diverse ecosystems and permafrost zones. Using a co-creation approach, we hosted stakeholder workshops and worked directly with each station to identify needs, install new equipment, and make data accessible. Stations varied widely in capacity - from those with no prior monitoring infrastructure to those with existing systems and data platforms. A key outcome was the collective identification of Priority Parameters, which are sensor-based, cost-effective variables relevant to key Shared Arctic Variables (SAVs), especially permafrost degradation and wildfires. These include meteorological parameters, radiation, snow, and subsurface characteristics. While the project strengthened and partly newly established monitoring sites, it also revealed challenges: extreme environmental conditions, remote and unmanned locations, staffing constraints, complex integration with national systems, and limited funding for long-term maintenance. Nevertheless, the initiative enhanced Arctic observing by promoting knowledge exchange, building technical capacity, and developing a replicable model for improving monitoring set ups. Arctic PASSION demonstrates that collaborative processes and shared standards, combined with mutual learning, can meaningfully improve data in the terrestrial Arctic.