A decade of environmental change in the Pacific Arctic region

Wood, Kevin R.; Bond, Nicholas A.; Danielson, Seth L.; Overland, James E.; Salo, S. A.; Stabeno, Phyllis J.; Whitefield, Jonathan

doi:10.1016/j.pocean.2015.05.005

Cited by 126 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 82 publications

(128 reference statements)

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“…We note that several recent studies present schematic representations of the regional circulation that indicate flow emanating from Barrow Canyon and turning westward (e.g. Day et al, 2013;Dunton et al, 2014;Wood et al, 2015;Moore et al, 2016). However, none of these studies invoke data to support this notion.…”

Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

The Chukchi slope current

Corlett

Pickart

2017

Progress in Oceanography

151

224

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Section: Summary and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 82%

The Chukchi slope current

Corlett

Pickart

2017

Progress in Oceanography

151

224

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“…Projections of sea ice extent show a continued rapid decline of summer sea ice, leading to warmer waters in summer and fall, later freeze-up in fall, and thinner ice in winter (Jefferies et al, 2013;Wood et al, 2015). While many Arctic marine mammals and many hunters display adaptability and resilience to change (Cochran et al, 2013), it is likely that ecological changes will continue in the wake of physical changes, with long-term consequences that are unlikely to be beneficial to species and hunting practices adapted to cold and ice.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluating the Effects of Climate Change on Indigenous Marine Mammal Hunting in Northern and Western Alaska Using Traditional Knowledge

Huntington¹,

Quakenbush

Nelson

2017

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Iñupiaq, Yup'ik, and Cup'ik hunters in 14 Alaska Native communities described a rapidly changing marine environment in qualitative traditional knowledge interviews conducted over the course of a decade with 110 individuals. Based on their observations, sea ice conditions are the most notable change, with later freeze-up, thinner and less reliable ice, and earlier and more rapid break-up. Marine mammal populations in northern and western Alaska have been affected by changes in the physical environment, with alterations to migratory timing and routes, distribution, abundance, health, and behavior. Despite these changes, marine mammal populations in the region remain generally healthy and abundant. For hunters, access is the biggest challenge posed by changing conditions. Sea ice is less safe for travel, particularly for more southerly communities, making hunting more dangerous or impossible. Rapid break-up has reduced the time available for hunting amid broken ice in spring, formerly a dependable and preferred season. Social change also affects the ways in which hunting patterns change. Increased industrial development, for example, can also alter marine mammal distribution and reduce hunting opportunity. Reduced use of animal skins for clothing and other purposes has reduced demand. More powerful and reliable engines make day trips easier, reducing the time spent camping. An essential component of adjustment and adaptation to changing conditions is the retention of traditional values and the acquisition of new information to supplement traditional knowledge. Our findings are consistent with, and add detail to, what is known from previous traditional knowledge and scientific studies. The ways in which hunters gather new information and incorporate it into their existing understanding of the marine environment deserves further attention, both as a means of monitoring change and as a key aspect of adaptation. While the changes to date have been largely manageable, future prospects are unclear, as the effects of climate change are expected to continue in the region, and ecological change may accelerate. Social and regulatory change will continue to play a role in fostering or constraining the ability of hunters to adapt to the effects of climate change.

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“…Sea ice loss in the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas is part of the continuing Arctic-wide reduction of sea ice extent and thickness observed during the last decade ( Polyakov et al, 2012;Lindsay and Schweiger, 2015) that has been accompanied by earlier melt onset in spring and later freeze-up in autumn (Stroeve et al, 2012;Parkinson, 2014;Frey et al, 2015;Wood et al, 2015). Summer sea ice concentrations have declined in most Arctic marginal seas, particularly in areas where multiyear sea ice used to prevail.…”

Section: The Ice-diminished Arcticmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The range of year-to-year variability of sea ice concentration in the northern Chukchi and Beaufort Seas (70°-80°N) has also changed, from mostly ice-covered ( ; the three RUSALCA expedition years all were ≤40% sea ice concentration in this region in September, with 2012 reaching the record minimum of 5% (Wood et al, 2015).…”

Section: The Ice-diminished Arcticmentioning

confidence: 99%