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Arctic communities perceive climate impacts on access as a critical challenge to availability of subsistence resources

Author

Listed:
  • Todd J. Brinkman

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Winslow D. Hansen

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks
    University of Wisconsin, Madison)

  • F. Stuart Chapin

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Gary Kofinas

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

  • Shauna BurnSilver

    (Arizona State University)

  • T. Scott Rupp

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Abstract

Amplified climate change in the Arctic has altered interactions between rural communities and local wild resources. Shifting interactions warrant analysis because they can influence cultural practices and food security of northern societies. We collaborated with four indigenous communities in Alaska and conducted semi-directed interviews with 71 experienced harvesters to identify local perceptions of climate-driven trends in the environment, and describe the effects of those trends on the availability (i.e., abundance, distribution, accessibility) of subsistence resources. We then linked local perceptions with scientific climate projections to forecast how availability of subsistence resources may change in the future. Hunters identified 47 important relationships between climate-driven changes in the environment and availability of subsistence resources. Of those relationships, 60, 28, and 13 % focused on changes in harvester access, resource distribution, and resource abundance, respectively. Our forecast model indicated a net reduction in the availability of subsistence resources over the next 30 years. The reduction was caused primarily by climate-related challenges in access, rather than changes in abundance or distribution of resources. Our study demonstrates how giving insufficient attention to harvester access may produce misleading conclusions when assessing the impacts of climate change on future subsistence opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Todd J. Brinkman & Winslow D. Hansen & F. Stuart Chapin & Gary Kofinas & Shauna BurnSilver & T. Scott Rupp, 2016. "Arctic communities perceive climate impacts on access as a critical challenge to availability of subsistence resources," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 139(3), pages 413-427, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:139:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-016-1819-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-016-1819-6
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Bélisle, Annie Claude & Wapachee, Alice & Asselin, Hugo, 2021. "From landscape practices to ecosystem services: Landscape valuation in Indigenous contexts," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    2. Dana R. N. Brown & Todd J. Brinkman & W. Robert Bolton & Caroline L. Brown & Helen S. Cold & Teresa N. Hollingsworth & David L. Verbyla, 2020. "Implications of climate variability and changing seasonal hydrology for subarctic riverbank erosion," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 162(2), pages 1-20, September.
    3. Schwoerer, Tobias & Schmidt, Jennifer I. & Holen, Davin, 2020. "Predicting the Food-Energy Nexus of Wild Food Systems: Informing Energy Transitions for Isolated Indigenous Communities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    4. Jonathan S. Lim & Sean Gleason & Hannah Strehlau & Lynn Church & Carl Nicolai & Willard Church & Warren Jones, 2023. "Alaska Native Allotments at Risk: Technological Strategies for Monitoring Erosion and Informing Solutions in Southwest Alaska," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Katy Davis & James D. Ford & Claire H. Quinn & Anuszka Mosurska & Melanie Flynn & IHACC Research Team & Sherilee L. Harper, 2022. "Shifting Safeties and Mobilities on the Land in Arctic North America: A Systematic Approach to Identifying the Root Causes of Disaster," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-23, June.
    6. Emilie Zentner & Maik Kecinski & Angeline Letourneau & Debra Davidson, 2019. "Ignoring Indigenous peoples—climate change, oil development, and Indigenous rights clash in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 155(4), pages 533-544, August.

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