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Aklavik Community-based Ecological Monitoring

Aklavik Community-based Ecological Monitoring:  Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op data verification, archiving, analysis, and evaluation.

Organization Responsible

 Michael Svoboda, Ecological Monitoring Program CoordinatorEnvironment Canada, Canadian Wildlife Service, 91780 Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 5X7867 667-3939  michael.svoboda@ec.gc.ca

Partner Organizations

Background  

Since 1996 the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op monitors and assesses change in the range of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and adjacent Mackenzie Delta area in NWT, Yukon & Alaska. Local knowledge is compiled from Aklavik, Arctic Village, Kaktovik, Old Crow, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Inuvik, and Tuktoyaktuk.  The data are available for integration into scientific or non-scientific research initiatives in the region (eg. Mackenzie water levels research – Simon Fraser University).  The ecosystem approach gathers information and is often the only source of community based ecological knowledge available for use. 

Program Description

Analysis:  The analysis exercise of year 1 will provide the baseline information for the new survey reporting scheme.  Analysis activities related to the legacy database are ongoing and separate from this exercise. 

Review of year 1 survey:  In order to ensure the value of the survey responses to wildlife management, the results of the new survey will be used to evaluate the new ‘program’, and will also provide an immediate opportunity for minor adjustments to the new survey.

Community based ecological monitoring program:  The transition of the old survey to the new survey was a collective effort from all relevant participating parties.  The revised survey will be deployed for it’s second year in the spring of 2012.  Aklavik’s specific concerns of who is interviewed has prompted us to request communities to ‘endorse’ their list of interviewees before survey’s are conducted.

Gathering and reporting:  The ‘Gathering’ emphasis has now shifted to validation, interpretation, and reporting of the new survey.  This new emphasis is planned to facilitate data collection when more qualitative in nature (stories etc), and improve integration by wildlife management bodies (data is more developed than just a database).  The nature of the event will also now serve as a ‘training’ ground for monitors to present the final results once they return to their respective communities.

Management Implications

This project (since 1996) tracks changes in environmental conditions across the range of the Porcupine Caribou herd, Mackenzie Delta and adjacent marine areas.  This information is of importance to both WMAC (North Slope) and the Inuvialuit as it provides information on environmental trends, historical context, and possible causes of these trends.  The information is used to inform communities, governments and decision makers regarding existing and emerging environmental issues, thereby informing appropriate management decisions and directing research. 

The work planned this year will provide analysis of data collected; review the new survey results and data collection system; and strengthen data collection to decision making linkages.  This year will mark the first cycle of a culmination of several years of collaborative improvements and discussions in creating the Coop’s new ‘system’.

Budget Provide a detailed budget and identify required resources and other

potential funding sources.

Note that organizations identified under “Partners” will be contributing to the total costs identified here.

Communication Plan

This ongoing project has several venues for communication, including:

• Interviewers from within the respective community are trained to conduct interviews with elders and hunters who hold local knowledge; and part of survey redesign and analysis subcommittee;
• Key partners of the ABEK Co-op will be communication ambassadors to various co-management boards and community decision fora. Specifically, communities are key partners in the oversight and operations of the ABEK Co-op; 

• A plain language document and audio-visual presentations via the web and DVD to communities. A detailed report of findings and synthesized outputs will be provided to the Wildlife Management Advisory Council (North Slope) and Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee; and
• Data will be presented at the annual Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Co-op Gathering, and other meetings that board representatives sit on (e.g., Porcupine Caribou Management Board).

General timeline