Seasonal Sea Ice Conditions Affect Caribou Crossing Areas Around Qikiqtaq, Nunavut: Uqsuqtuurmiut Knowledge Guides Ice Chart Analysis

Though polar ecologists consider sea ice primarily as a habitat for marine mammals, caribou use sea ice to complete their reproductive cycles, to access areas with preferred climatic and vegetation conditions, and to avoid predators seasonally and sporadically. Building on previous caribou research in Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven, Nunavut), we explored the connections between caribou and sea ice phenology in 5 community-identified caribou crossing areas around Qikiqtaq (King William Island). We defined freeze-up and breakup based on Uqsuqtuurmiut (people of Uqsuqtuuq) knowledge of caribou habitat requirements, to orient our analysis to the complex and multifaceted hazards that caribou can encounter while moving through their dynamic and unpredictable sea ice habitat. We investigated the reliability of caribou sea ice habitat surrounding Qikiqtaq, prioritizing key transitional periods with intensified caribou movement. We use regional ice charts produced by the Canadian Ice Service (CIS) and held workshops with Uqsuqtuurmiut to understand how sea ice phenology and caribou mobility have changed over time. The high spatial and temporal variability of sea ice phenology around Qikiqtaq facilitates caribou moving across sea ice should they need to respond to seasonal or unpredictable changes in ecological conditions or anthropogenic disturbance. Therefore, these localized sea ice conditions may increase caribou resiliency to changes or extreme events by providing alternative options for movement across the sea ice. We encourage others to consider the needs of wildlife sea ice users when assessing or providing ice information. Bien que les écologistes polaires considèrent que la glace de mer est principalement un habitat de mammifères marins, les caribous s’en servent pour leurs cycles de reproduction, pour accéder à des lieux dont les conditions climatiques et la végétation conviennent à leurs préférences et pour éviter les prédateurs, en fonction des saisons et de manière sporadique. En nous appuyant sur des recherches antérieures sur les caribous à Uqsuqtuuq (Gjoa Haven, Nunavut), nous avons exploré les liens entre le caribou et la phénologie de cinq points de franchissement des caribous dans la région de Qikiqtaq (île King William), tels que déterminés par la communauté. Nous avons défini l’englacement et la débâcle en nous fondant sur les connaissances des Uqsuqtuurmiut (le peuple d’Uqsuqtuuq) concernant les besoins du caribou en matière d’habitat afin d’éclairer notre analyse des dangers complexes et multidimensionnels auxquels les caribous peuvent faire face quand ils se déplacent dans leur habitat de glace de mer dynamique et imprévisible. Nous avons étudié la fiabilité de l’habitat de glace de mer du caribou dans les alentours de Qikiqtaq, en accordant une attention particulière aux périodes de transition pendant lesquelles les déplacements des caribous sont plus intenses. Nous avons utilisé les cartes des glaces régionales produites par le Service canadien des glaces (SCG) et organisé des ateliers avec les Uqsuqtuurmiut pour comprendre comment la phénologie de la glace de mer et la mobilité des caribous ont évolué au fil du temps. La grande variabilité spatiale et temporelle de la phénologie de la glace de mer des environs de Qikiqtaq facilite le déplacement des caribous sur la glace de mer s’ils devaient réagir aux changements saisonniers et imprévisibles des conditions écologiques et de la perturbation anthropique. Par conséquent, ces conditions de glace de mer localisées peuvent avoir pour effet d’augmenter la résilience du caribou aux changements ou aux événements extrêmes, car elles présentent des options de rechange en matière de déplacements sur la glace de mer. Nous incitons d’autres personnes à considérer les besoins de la faune utilisant la glace de mer lorsqu’elles doivent évaluer ou fournir de l’information sur la glace de mer.

Twenty actions for a “good Anthropocene”—perspectives from early-career conservation professionals

Humans are now recognized as the main drivers of environmental change, leaving the future of our planet dependent on human action or inaction. Although the outlook of our planet is often depicted in a “doom and gloom” manner due to recent troubling environmental trends, we suggest that a “good Anthropocene” (in which human quality of life may be maintained or improved without cost to the environment) is attainable if we engage in adaptive, multi-disciplinary actions capable of addressing the socio-ecological issues of today and tomorrow. Early-career conservation scientists and practitioners have an unmatched understanding of novel technologies and social connectivity and, as those left with the ever-growing responsibility to be the problem solvers of the attributed increasing environmental consequences of living in the Anthropocene, their perspectives on steps towards a good Anthropocene are valuable. Here we present a list of 20 actions derived by early-career conservation scientists and practitioners for conservationists to help achieve a good Anthropocene that utilize the social connectivity and technology of today. Central to these actions are the notions that multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary collaboratives that embrace diverse world views need to be integrated into decision-making processes; training and outreach platforms need to communicate both environmental challenges and solutions broadly; and conservation successes need to be acknowledged and disseminated in a forward-looking, adaptive capacity. Together the 20 actions identified here reinforce the underlying paradigm shift that must accompany living in the Anthropocene, given that biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are requisite for sustained human life. By sharing this list of actions, we look to promote positive socio-environmental changes towards the collective goal of achieving a good Anthropocene.The accepted manuscript in pdf format is listed with the files at the bottom of this page. The presentation of the authors' names and (or) special characters in the title of the manuscript may differ slightly between what is listed on this page and what is listed in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript; that in the pdf file of the accepted manuscript is what was submitted by the author

Twenty actions for a “good anthropocene”—perspectives from early-career conservation professionals

Humans are now recognized as the main drivers of environmental change, leaving the future of our planet dependent on human action or inaction. Although the outlook of our planet is often depicted in a “doom and gloom” manner due to recent troubling environmental trends, we suggest that a “good Anthropocene” (in which human quality of life may be maintained or improved without cost to the environment) is attainable if we engage in adaptive, multi-disciplinary actions capable of addressing the socio-ecological issues of today and tomorrow. Early-career conservation scientists and practitioners have an unmatched understanding of novel technologies and social connectivity and, as those left with the ever-growing responsibility to be the problem solvers of the attributed increasing environmental consequences of living in the Anthropocene, their perspectives on steps towards a good Anthropocene are valuable. Here we present a list of 20 actions derived by early-career conservation scientists and practitioners for conservationists to help achieve a good Anthropocene that utilize the social connectivity and technology of today. Central to these actions are the notions that multi-, inter-, and trans-disciplinary collaboratives that embrace diverse world views need to be integrated into decision-making processes; training and outreach platforms need to communicate both environmental challenges and solutions broadly; and conservation successes need to be acknowledged and disseminated in a forward-looking, adaptive capacity. Together the 20 actions identified here reinforce the underlying paradigm shift that must accompany living in the Anthropocene, given that biodiversity and healthy ecosystems are requisite for sustained human life. By sharing this list of actions, we look to promote positive socio-environmental changes towards the collective goal of achieving a good Anthropocene