Climate Change and Coastal Resource Access Study

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of the study?

The cultural value of marine environments.

The technological adaptations of fishing industries.

The economic impacts of climate change on coastal communities.

The effect of climate stressors on Indigenous communities' access to traditional foods. (correct)

Which locations were specifically included in the study?

Inland and mountainous regions in Alaska.

Various Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Coastal regions of Europe and Asia.

Kotzebue and Kivalina, Alaska. (correct)

According to the study, what are the main climate stressors affecting harvest access?

Sea ice retreat, coastal erosion, and changes in weather. (correct)

Increased rainfall and stronger currents.

Volcanic activity and changes in temperature.

Rising sea levels and extreme temperatures.

Which of these was NOT identified as a mechanism used to mediate changes to harvest access?

Political influence. Signup and view all the answers

How does the study describe the potential effects of climate change on access to coastal resources?

Climate change may increase access for some while excluding others. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of 'access theory' in the context of the study?

Understanding the 'ability to derive benefits from things'. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these adaptation strategies were NOT mentioned in the study?

Relocating to areas further away from the coast. Signup and view all the answers

How does the study emphasize the role of Indigenous communities in response to environmental change?

As stewards with sovereignty over their lands and resources using their traditional knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the research described in the provided material?

The alterations of access to subsistence resources in Arctic Alaska due to climate change and the mediating social-ecological factors. Signup and view all the answers

According to the provided material, what aspect of climate change impacts on coastal resources is particularly significant for Indigenous Arctic communities?

The change in accessibility to coastal resources, affecting their ability to harvest those resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements best represents the research's perspective on the relationship between resource 'access' and resource 'availability'?

Resource access is understudied relative to resource availability when considering climate change impacts. Signup and view all the answers

What does the research imply about the role of government agencies in relation to changed access to resources mentioned?

The research implies a potential need for government agencies to mediate resource access in light of a changing landscape. Signup and view all the answers

Who are the primary authors of the research article cited?

Kristen M. Green, Anne H. Beaudreau, Maija H. Lukin, and Larry B. Crowder. Signup and view all the answers

The stated DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the research article is mostly used for what?

To uniquely identify the research article online. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these institutions is NOT associated with any of the researchers mentioned in the provided material?

University of Alaska Signup and view all the answers

What was the publication date of the research article?

December 2021 Signup and view all the answers

What primary method was used to identify access mechanisms to coastal subsistence resources?

Deductive coding of interviews Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a method of data collection?

Analysis of ice core samples Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main factors affecting the harvesters access, according to the provided text?

Changes in ice conditions impacting safe travel. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following species is specifically mentioned as being affected by changes in ice conditions?

Bearded seal (uugruk) Signup and view all the answers

What did the researchers use to provide additional context for harvester observations of landscape changes?

Environmental data summaries Signup and view all the answers

How were the results from interviews triangulated in the study?

With notes from participant observations Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated as a consequence of unsafe ice conditions mentioned by the harvesters?

Harvesters may avoid pursuing seals at all due to the risks Signup and view all the answers

What has been altered in regards to harvesting bearded seals, due to unsafe ice conditions?

The typical period of time they can be harvested Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of using capital to purchase fuel needed for harvesting coastal resources?

Reduction in spending on other household needs. Signup and view all the answers

What trend may lead to wealthier families gaining more advantages in resource harvesting?

A need for larger boats to access offshore, ice-free waters. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would not be considered a strategy to cope with high fuel costs?

Increasing boat size for more efficient travel. Signup and view all the answers

What role do 'super-households' play in a community?

They distribute extra harvests through social networks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason that some individuals or families might be excluded from accessing certain coastal resources?

Insufficient financial assets to acquire necessary equipment. Signup and view all the answers

What is a non-asset-based mechanism used to distribute resources in a community?

The sharing of subsistence foods. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant challenge for coastal communities?

The need to balance resource harvesting and household budgets. Signup and view all the answers

What role does fuel access play in resource harvesting?

Access to fuel enhances the ability to travel and harvest more frequently. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary concern for harvesters in the Arctic, based on the provided information?

The rapid changes in winter travel conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What specific practice are some Arctic communities adopting due to changing ice conditions?

Waiting longer to travel or following others with higher risk tolerance. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered to potentially increase in rural Alaska due to economic development and climate change?

The importance of time as a factor in accessibility. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the traditional practices used by communities like Kotzebue and Kivalina in the harvesting of resources?

Subsistence Signup and view all the answers

According to the communities, what is a core principle of subsistence harvesting?

Treating wildlife with respect and not wasting resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary geographical risk factor mentioned for Kivalina?

Being highly exposed to climate change impacts. Signup and view all the answers

What is suggested as a potential approach to increase adaptive capacity in Arctic communities?

Combining asset-based and non-asset-based mechanisms. Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing characteristic of the newer generation of harvesters?

They will be experiencing a different set of conditions from past generations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one way to increase access to authority and knowledge simultaneously for harvesters?

Holding meetings in both rural and urban centers. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of holding public outreach meetings?

To share information about harvesting regulations and generate proposals. Signup and view all the answers

How is the concept of 'access' related to the concept of 'authority' according to the text?

They are closely connected, especially due to colonial influences. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'decolonizing access' aim to support?

Indigenous food sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

What did Krupa et al. (2020) find in their study about involving remote locations?

That holding meetings in both rural and urban locations increases access to the public participation process for harvesters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the statement 'to control access is to mediate the access of others'?

It highlights how control over access also involves controlling who can access resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the impacts of a complex patchwork of state, federal, and corporate land ownership in northwestern Alaska?

It has created barriers to traditional hunting and harvesting practices. Signup and view all the answers

What is one potential drawback of school for children in the context of subsistence harvesting?

It can reduce the time children have to participate in harvesting. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Indigenous (Iñupiat) communities in Arctic Alaska rely heavily on coastal resources for subsistence.
Climate change impacts, including sea ice retreat, coastal erosion, and changing weather patterns, are altering access to these resources.
Access theory, which examines the ways access to resources is controlled and maintained, is applied in this study.
Chronic climate stressors, especially sea ice retreat, weather changes, and coastal erosion, most affected access to traditional subsistence resources.
Harvesters use various mechanisms for access, including capital, knowledge, technology, social identity, social relations, authority, and time.
Adapting to these changes involves increased reliance on technology and capital like boats, switching to alternate species, or sharing resources within social networks, or possibly transitioning to new forms of food production.
Indigenous food sovereignty is crucial for community resilience in a rapidly changing environment.
The study analyzed Kotzebue, Kivalina, and Sisualik communities, with interviews focusing on changing harvest access impacting traditional foods.

Theoretical Framework

Access theory, developed by Ribot and Peluso, helps understand how access to natural resources is socially and politically constructed.
This framework is applied to a coastal social-ecological system to analyze climate adaptation.
Key access mechanisms include authority, capital, knowledge, social identity, social relations, technology, and time.

Methods

Case studies in Kotzebue and Kivalina, Alaska were undertaken, focusing on coastal communities near Cape Krusenstern National Monument.
Approximately 80% of the population is Alaska Native.
Semi-structured interviews, supplemented by environmental data, were used to capture harvester perspectives and potential adaptations.
Environmental data about sea ice, weather, and coastal erosion trends were gathered.
Interview data was analyzed thematically to understand climate stressors impacting harvesting, and to identify access mechanisms mediating coastal resource access.

Results

Key climate stressors include sea ice extent, weather, and coastal erosion.
Harvesters reported changes in the seasonality and availability of coastal resources like bearded seal, beluga, and salmon.
Coastal erosion impacts access to harvest areas.
Access mechanisms like capital (boats, equipment), technology (boats, ATVs), knowledge (traditions, hunting techniques), social identity (Alaska Native status), social relations (sharing), authority (managing access rules), and time (travel time to harvest) are key to mediating access challenges.

Discussion

Climate change impacts are altering access to coastal resources, and this is particularly problematic for communities heavily reliant on subsistence.
The study's framework combines access theory with adaptive capacity concepts to identify how social, cultural, political, and economic factors influence access to subsistence resources.
Indigenous knowledge, cultural practices, and community support are vital for adaptation.
Future research should focus on supporting community-led adaptation strategies.

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Description

This quiz explores key findings from a study focused on climate change impacts on coastal resource access, particularly for Indigenous communities. It examines adaptation strategies, climate stressors, and the role of access theory in understanding resource availability. Test your knowledge on the mechanisms identified in the research and their implications for harvest management.