Present and past dynamics of Inughuit resource spaces

Flora, Janne; Johansen, Kasper Lambert; Grønnow, Bjarne; Andersen, Astrid Oberborbeck; Mosbech, Anders

doi:10.1007/s13280-018-1039-6

Cited by 22 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The marked seasonal environmental variation, represented by the extent of land fast ice, impacts also the presence and accessibility of animals (see also Flora et al 2018 ). During autumn and winter, most birds will migrate southwards, which also applies to harp and hooded seals, the majority of narwhals and belugas, as well as baleen whales (Vibe 1950 ; Heide-Jørgensen et al 2003 ; Dietz et al 2008 ; Andersen et al 2009 ; CAFF 2013 ; Grønnow 2016 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions of climate, socio-economics, and global mercury pollution in the North Water

Dietz

Mosbech

Flora

et al. 2018

Ambio

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Despite the remoteness of the North Water, Northwest Greenland, the local Inughuit population is affected by global anthropogenic pollution and climate change. Using a cross-disciplinary approach combining Mercury (Hg) analysis, catch information, and historical and anthropological perspectives, this article elucidates how the traditional diet is compromised by Hg pollution originating from lower latitudes. In a new approach we here show how the Inughuits in Avanersuaq are subject to high Hg exposure from the hunted traditional food, consisting of mainly marine seabirds and mammals. Violation of the provisional tolerably yearly intake of Hg, on average by a factor of 11 (range 7–15) over the last 20 years as well as the provisional tolerably monthly intake by a factor of 6 (range 2–16), raises health concerns. The surplus of Selenium (Se) in wildlife tissues including narwhals showed Se:Hg molar ratios of 1.5, 2.3, and 16.7 in muscle, liver, and mattak, respectively, likely to provide some protection against the high Hg exposure.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s13280-018-1033-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interactions of climate, socio-economics, and global mercury pollution in the North Water

Dietz

Mosbech

Flora

et al. 2018

Ambio

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“…Iceberg grounding patterns and the movement of glacial fronts have also had an effect on local sled routes, some of which are now abandoned or rarely used. In the Qaanaaq region, sled routes, such as those following the coast north into Nares Strait and south around Kap York toward Savissivik, show the same tendencies (Flora et al, ; Gearheard et al, ). Fast ice now rarely forms for extended periods along the headlands of these coastal stretches.…”

Section: The Social and Economic Effects Of Climate Changementioning

confidence: 96%

Water, ice, and climate change in northwest Greenland

Nuttall

2020

WIREs Water

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Along the coastal areas of northwest Greenland, sea ice is crucial to people's livelihoods. People in the region have long depended on hunting marine mammals such as seals; walrus; narwhal, beluga, fin, and minke whales; and polar bears, as well as fishing for fjord cod, Greenland halibut, salmon, and Arctic char. Terrestrial animals such as reindeer and Arctic foxes have also been of some importance, as have musk ox in some areas. However, the effects of a changing climate on the marine environment are stark, immediate, and tangible. Ice is melting, and coastal waters are warming. Sea ice, glaciers, coastlines, and seas have become sites and objects for new forms of environmental governance shaped by ideas of unique and fragile ecosystems under threat at a moment of planetary crisis. Conservation organizations frame the Arctic as a zone of climate change crisis and have launched campaigns-underpinned by narratives of ruination-to protect what are termed last areas of ice. However, Inuit organizations are also working to ensure that environmental governance and conservation policymaking do not exclude local communities in the region and are campaigning for protected marine areas in which wildlife management systems and community-based monitoring take note of indigenous rights and incorporate indigenous knowledge.

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“…Clearly, in hard times, of which there have certainly been many, the Inuit have had little choice of diet and life-style. Yet, there have also been preferences and not least practical skills that have placed the social communities in particular relations to the resources, and varying over time (Flora et al 2018 ).…”

Section: Humans Settlements: the North Water As A Gatewaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Introducing the North Water: Histories of exploration, ice dynamics, living resources, and human settlement in the Thule Region

Hastrup

Mosbech

Grønnow

2018

Ambio

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The North Water is a recurrent polynya in the High Arctic situated between Northwest Greenland and Ellesmere Island of Canada. The North Water makes a dynamic space, where various processes may enhance or obstruct each other, accelerating or halting particular modes of human–animal relations in the region, where life itself depends on the North Water. This will be discussed in four steps. The first step posits the North Water as a perceived oasis for explorers and whalers hailing from Europe or America in the nineteenth century. The second step concentrates on the diverse rhythms inherent in the ice conditions, as affected by trends that are set in motion elsewhere. The third step highlights the implications of the dynamics of the ice and sea currents for animal life in the region. The fourth step gives an overview of human settlement patterns around the North Water across the ages. The article shows how natural and social features are deeply implicated in each other, even if they are not directly co-variant.

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Present and past dynamics of Inughuit resource spaces

Cited by 22 publications

References 12 publications

Interactions of climate, socio-economics, and global mercury pollution in the North Water

Interactions of climate, socio-economics, and global mercury pollution in the North Water

Water, ice, and climate change in northwest Greenland

Introducing the North Water: Histories of exploration, ice dynamics, living resources, and human settlement in the Thule Region

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