Zurich Open Repository and Archive University of Zurich Main Library Strickhofstrasse 39 CH-8057 Zurich www.zora.uzh.ch Year: 2018 ”No fish, no nimat”: Arctic social-ecological systems in the context ofglobal change Ksenofontov, Stanislav Abstract: The Arctic is undergoing rapid transformations as a result of global change. Global change drivers significantly affect Arctic biodiversity as well as ecosystem functioning: climate change results in shifts of natural habitats of many animals and plants; land use and technological adaptation cause migration route changes of numerous animals; the expansion of non-native species forces out native ones; and overexploitation brings about an extinction of many native species. Arctic indigenous and local communities are also dramatically affected by global change since they are highly dependent on biodi- versity and ecosystem services for food, economy and socio-cultural well-being. Moreover, the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities are challenged by socio-political as well as economic stresses and shocks. This thesis aims to assess the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the Arctic social-ecological systems. In doing so, the thesis examines indigenous and local knowledge of global change drivers and their effects on the social-ecological systems. Social-ecological systems represent complex interactions of humans and nature. In the case of accelerated global change, the vulnerability of social-ecological systems may be increased and thus may compromise their sustainability. The thesis is based on two case study areas in the Arctic regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in North-Eastern Siberia, Russia, where indigenous (Eveny, Evenki, Sakha) and non-indigenous (Russian, Ukrainians etc.) community members have been interviewed. It employs a mixed methods approach: 34 qualitative in฀depth interviews, par- ticipant observation, two focus group discussions and 204 quantitative standardized questionnaires have been carried out in four Arctic settlements. The study has shown that Yakutian communities face mul- tiple global change related stresses. These stresses significantly affect livelihoods of the indigenous and local communities as well as their traditional practices (hunting, fishing, gathering and reindeer herd- ing). As a result, food security of the indigenous and local communities is challenged. Indigenous and local communities have developed adaptive strategies to a changing climate and environment (changing fishing grounds in case of fish shortage, consumption habits change, just to name a few). However,their adaptive potential is constrained by socio-political and economic transformations (i.e. the collapse of the Soviet Union or new fishing laws). The interplay of aforementioned climatic stresses and socio-political shocks and trends increase the vulnerability of local and indigenous communities’ livelihoods. Therefore, in order to maintain or increase the sustainability of Arctic social-ecological systems, it is necessary to take into account indigenous and local knowledge in developing and implementing conservation policies. Posted at the Zurich Open Repository and Archive, University of Zurich ZORA URL: https://doi.org/10.5167/uzh-153044 Dissertation Published Version Originally published at: Ksenofontov, Stanislav. ”No fish, no nimat”: Arctic social-ecological systems in the context ofglobal change. 2018, University of Zurich, Faculty of Science. 2 "NO FISH, NO NIMAT": ARCTIC SOCIAL-ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS IN THE CONTEXT OF GLOBAL CHANGE _______________________________________________________________________ Dissertation zur Erlangung der naturwissenschaftlichen Doktorwürde (Dr. sc. nat.) vorgelegt der Mathematisch-naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Zürich von Stanislav Ksenofontov aus Russland Promotionskommission Prof. Dr. Norman Backhaus (Vorsitz, Leitung der Dissertation) Dr. Gabriela Schaepman-Strub Prof. Dr. Michael Schaepman Zürich, 2018 To my beloved brother... © S. Ksenofontov Nimat is a Tungusic traditional custom of sharing prey and thus establishes social relations with other people. Over the last decades, due to environmental and climatic changes numbers of caught fish are decreasing, therefore the tradition of nimat is vanishing. Summary The Arctic is undergoing rapid transformations as a result of global change. Global change drivers significantly affect Arctic biodiversity as well as ecosystem functioning: climate change results in shifts of natural habitats of many animals and plants; land use and technological adaptation cause migration route changes of numerous animals; the expansion of non-native species forces out native ones; and overexploitation brings about an extinction of many native species. Arctic indigenous and local communities are also dramatically affected by global change since they are highly dependent on biodiversity and ecosystem services for food, economy and socio-cultural well-being. Moreover, the livelihoods of indigenous and local communities are challenged by socio-political as well as economic stresses and shocks. This thesis aims to assess the vulnerability and adaptive capacity of the Arctic social- ecological systems. In doing so, the thesis examines indigenous and local knowledge of global change drivers and their effects on the social-ecological systems. Social-ecological systems represent complex interactions of humans and nature. In the case of accelerated global change, the vulnerability of social-ecological systems may be increased and thus may compromise their sustainability. The thesis is based on two case study areas in the Arctic regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in North-Eastern Siberia, Russia, where indigenous (Eveny, Evenki, Sakha) and non-indigenous (Russian, Ukrainians etc.) community members have been interviewed. It employs a mixed methods approach: 34 qualitative in- depth interviews, participant observation, two focus group discussions and 204 quantitative standardized questionnaires have been carried out in four Arctic settlements. The study has shown that Yakutian communities face multiple global change related stresses. These stresses significantly affect livelihoods of the indigenous and local communities as well as their traditional practices (hunting, fishing, gathering and reindeer herding). As a result, food security of the indigenous and local communities is challenged. Indigenous and local communities have developed adaptive strategies to a changing climate and environment (changing fishing grounds in case of fish shortage, consumption habits change, just to name a few). However, their adaptive potential is constrained by socio- political and economic transformations (i.e. the collapse of the Soviet Union or new fishing laws). The interplay of aforementioned climatic stresses and socio-political shocks and trends increase the vulnerability of local and indigenous communities' livelihoods. Therefore, in order to maintain or increase the sustainability of Arctic social-ecological systems, it is necessary to take into account indigenous and local knowledge in developing and implementing conservation policies. 7 Zusammenfassung Die Arktis ist aufgrund des globalen Wandels rasanten Veränderungen unterworfen. Verschiedene Treiber des globalen Wandels haben einen starken Einfluss auf die arktische Biodiversität und das Funktionieren der Ökosysteme: Der Klimawandel führt zu Verschiebungen natürlicher Habitate vieler Tier- und Pflanzenarten; Anpassungen in Landnutzung und Technologie verursachen Veränderungen der Migrationsrouten zahlreicher Tiere; die Ausdehnung von zugewanderten Arten vertreibt einheimische Arten; und Übernutzung hat die Ausrottung vieler einheimischen Arten zur Folge. Auch die indigenen und lokalen Bevölkerungsgruppen sind vom globalen Wandel dramatisch betroffen, da sie stark von Biodiversität und Ökosystemleistungen abhängig sind für Ernährung, Wirtschaft und soziokulturelles Wohlbefinden. Zudem sind die Lebensunterhaltsstrategien von indigenen und lokalen Bevölkerungsgruppen durch soziopolitische und ökonomische Erschütterungen und Umbrüche unter Druck. Diese Dissertation hat zum Ziel, die Verwundbarkeit und Anpassungsfähigkeit des arktischen sozio-ökologischen Systems zu analysieren. Dazu untersucht die Arbeit indigenes und lokales Wissen über die Treibkräfte des globalen Wandels und ihrer Auswirkungen auf das sozio-ökologische System. Sozio-ökologische Systeme stellen komplexe Interaktionen zwischen Mensch und Natur dar. Durch beschleunigten globalen Wandel kann die Verwundbarkeit von sozio-ökologischen Systemen erhöht und dadurch ihre Nachhaltigkeit gefährdet werden. Die Dissertation basiert auf zwei Fallstudien im arktischen Gebiet der Republik Sacha (Jakutien) in Nordostsibirien, Russland, wo Mitglieder von indigenen (Eveny, Evenki, Sakha) und nicht-indigenen Gemeinschaften (Russen, Ukrainer etc.) interviewt wurden. Die Arbeit verwendet einen „mixed methods“-Ansatz: in vier arktischen Siedlungen wurden 34 qualitative Interviews, teilnehmende Beobachtung, zwei Fokusgruppen- Diskussionen und 204 quantitative standardisierte Befragungen durchgeführt. Die Studie hat gezeigt, dass jakutische Gemeinschaften vielfältigem, von globalem Wandel verursachten Stress ausgesetzt sind. Dieser Stress hat einen erheblichen Einfluss auf die Lebensunterhaltsstrategien von indigenen und lokalen Bevölkerungsgruppen und deren traditionelle Praktiken (Jagen, Fischen, Sammeln und Rentierhaltung). Als Folge davon ist die Ernährungssicherheit von indigenen und lokalen