Purpose

The nearshore area is vital for many Arctic residents. Coastal communities depend on access to the sea and to sea ice, but are vulnerable to flooding and erosion. Significant subsistence activities take place in the nearshore area. The interactions among terrestrial, freshwater, and marine systems govern the boundary conditions associated with the nearshore as well as feedbacks on each of those systems. These interactions have a human element, too, as people affect the nearshore and are in turn affected by it.

The purpose of this workshop was to identify and discuss potential research approaches to investigate these and other links between humans and the nearshore area in the Arctic. The nearshore initiative presents a great opportunity to create a strong human dimensions component in arctic system research, with close links to research on the physical and biological aspects of the nearshore area. By identifying research ideas at the project level, the workshop can provide ideas for proposals to the HARC initiative at NSF.

Format

The workshop followed the same format as previous HARC online workshops. The two moderators started and guided the discussion. The forum was open for the entire three-day period so comments could be posted at the convenience of each participant. Moderators were Lee Cooper, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Anne Jensen, Ukpeagvik Iñupiat Corporation, with support from Henry Huntington, HARC SMO.

Outcome

Both the final report and transcript of the workshop are available in PDF format for download:

Humans and the Arctic Nearshore Zone Workshop Report (PDF - 29 KB)
Humans and the Arctic Nearshore Zone Transcript (PDF - 190 KB)

Opening Questions

To get the workshop started, we asked the following questions:

  1. Vulnerability: Which research approaches should be used to determine vulnerability in the following areas of human concern to physical and biological changes in the nearshore area?
    Infrastructure (industrial development, community location & facilities, etc.)

    • Transportation
    • Fisheries
    • Other economic activities (tourism, mining, fire prevention)
    • Traditional hunting, fishing, gathering

  2. Human Impacts: Which research approaches can determine past and present human impacts on the following components of the nearshore area?

    • Infrastructure and development
    • Transportation
    • Pollution and disturbance
    • Landscape change (e.g., from reindeer overgrazing)

  3. Combined Vulnerability & Impacts: Which research approaches will be best for assessing:

    • Combined vulnerability?
    • Combined impacts?

  4. Past Human Responses: When changes in the nearshore area have exposed vulnerabilities, how have humans responded? Are there factors that seem to influence the likelihood of a successful response?

  5. Comparison with non-Arctic Areas: What can be learned from work that has been done outside the Arctic? Are the vulnerabilities and impacts the same as those seen elsewhere, or are there special processes present in the Arctic?