Disrupted ecosystem and human phenology at the climate frontline in Gwich'in First Nation territory

Abstract

Running head: Climate Frontline Article impact statement: Indigenous land users' experiences of global ecological change can help researchers understand variable climate impacts and adaptations. In the Arctic, the dynamic nature of climate change is directly impacting ecosystems and human communities (Bush & Lemmen 2019). Climatic changes are often reported as regional trends, but

“I see my culture starting to disappear”: Anishinaabe perspectives on the socioecological impacts of climate change and future research needs

“…Differences in the impacts to and responses of various plant and animal species to environmental changes are also creating "mismatches" between species (e.g., predator-prey or herbivore-plant interactions; Thackeray et al 2016;Peers et al 2020), and between wildlife and their environments (e.g., breeding mismatched with food availability; Doiron et al 2015;Lameris et al 2018). Not only are these seasonal changes affecting the health and well-being of the environment, but they are also making it difficult for people to predict where and when to access important foods and medicines (Guyot et al 2006;Jacob et al 2010;Moerlein and Carothers 2012;Lynn et al 2013;Brinkman et al 2016;Proverbs et al 2021).…”

“…Indeed, research indicates that climate change is causing substantive changes in aquatic ecosystem dynamics, including increases in temperature and acidification, which are impacting fish distributions (Perry et al 2005;Proverbs et al 2021), timing of spawning events (Jacob et al 2010;Pankhurst and Munday 2011), behaviour (Moerlein and Carothers 2012), and health (e.g., contaminant exposure, Noyes et al 2009). Changes in the timing and abundance of fish are highly problematic for Indigenous communities that rely on traditional fishing practices for sustenance (Jacob et al 2010;Moerlein and Carothers 2012).…”

“…But when they're changing and they're leaving and there's less of them, it's a lot harder for the youth to get those connections and start to learn their culture. And, as a whole family, the way that we were supposed to do it" Threats to land-based knowledge, including navigational skills and knowledge of traditional hunting practices, have been reported in other Indigenous communities (Guyot et al 2006;Laidler et al 2009;Athayde et al 2017;Proverbs et al 2021), suggesting a more widespread and, perhaps, understated and time-sensitive impact of the current environmental crisis.…”

“…The concerns/priorities marked with an asterisk (*) are discussed further in the results and discussion section. meaningful "(caribou, LeCorre et al 2017; migratory birds, Murphy-Klassen et al 2005;Guyot et al 2006), running and spawning of fish(Jacob et al 2010), snow and ice dynamics (e.g., freeze-up, melt;Guyot et al 2006;Laidler et al 2009;Tam et al 2013;Proverbs et al 2021), and reproductive timing of animals and plants…”

Shifting Seasons and Threats to Harvest, Culture, and Self‐Identity: A Personal Narrative on the Consequences of Changing Climate

“…River and lake ice in the north is also experiencing similar changes, with associated effects on subsistence fishing and travel (Brown et al., 2018 ). Compounding the uncertainty caused by changes to ice, some land users have additional concerns that timing of fish migrations could shift away from what is indicated in their traditional seasonal calendars, potentially leading to lost harvest opportunities (Proverbs et al., 2020 , 2021 ). It is becoming increasingly clear that, while global in nature, wide‐reaching environmental changes can manifest in multiple, significant impacts on local subsistence fisheries.…”