Indigenous Knowledge as a sole data source in habitat selection functions
Authors: Gryba Rowenna , VonDuyke Andrew , Huntington Henry , Adams Billy , Frantz Brower , Gatten Justin , Harcharek Qaiyyan , Sarren Robert , Henry Greg , Auger-Méthé Marie 
Published: September 2023

While Indigenous Knowledge (IK) contains a wealth of information on the behaviour and habitat use of species, it is rarely included in the species-habitat models frequently used by ‘Western’ species management authorities. As decisions from these authorities can limit access to species that are important culturally and for subsistence, exclusion of IK in conservation and management frameworks can negatively impact both species and Indigenous communities. In partnership with Iñupiat hunters, we developed methods to statistically characterize IK of species-habitat relationships and developed models that rely solely on IK to identify species habitat use and important areas. We provide methods for different types of IK documentation and for dynamic habitat types (e.g., ice concentration). We apply the method to ringed seals (natchiq in Iñupiaq) in Alaskan waters, a stock for which the designated critical habitat has been debated in part due to minimal inclusion of IK. Our work demonstrates how IK of species-habitat relationships, with the inclusion of dynamic habitat types, expands on existing mapping approaches and provides another method to identify species habitat use and important areas. The results of this work provide a straightforward and meaningful approach to include IK in species management, especially through co-management processes.

“Agencies have a traditional way they do science and including Indigenous Knowledge is less traditional.” - Taqulik Hepa, subsistence hunter and Director, North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management

Statement of Positionality

This study and the conversion and application of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) for habitat use models was initiated through discussions with the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management (DWM). The DWM is an agency of the regional municipal government representing eight primarily Iñupiat subsistence communities in Northern Alaska. One of the goals of the DWM is to “assure participation by Borough residents in the management of wildlife and fish… so that residents can continue to practice traditional methods of subsistence harvest of wildlife resources in perpetuity” (1). Additionally, this project was presented to the Ice Seal Committee (ISC) for review, input, and approval. The ISC is an Alaskan Native organization with representatives from five regions that cover ice-associated seal ranges and “was established to help preserve and enhance ice seal habitat; protect and enhance Alaska Native culture, traditions-particularly activities associated with the subsistence use of ice seals” (2). Both the DWM and the ISC have mandates to manage ice-associated seals considering both IK and ‘Western’ scientific knowledge (1, 2), and this study was developed to meet those mandates. Iñupiat hunters from Utqiaġvik, Alaska (Figure 1) were collaborators on this project, five of whom are co-authors (B. Adams, B. Frantz, J. Gatten, Q. Harcharek, and R. Sarren), while the other hunter chose to remain anonymous for this publication. The other authors are not Indigenous: R. Gryba was a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia, M. Auger-Méthé and G. Henry are professors at the University of British Columbia, A. Von Duyke is a researcher at the DWM, and H. Huntington is an independent social scientist.

Significance Statement

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is an extensive source of information of species habitat use and behavior, but is still rarely included in statistical methods used for species conservation and management. Because current conservation practices are frequently still rooted in ‘Western’ practices many Indigenous organizations are looking for ways for IK to be better included and considered. We worked with Iñupiat hunters to develop a new statistical approach to characterize IK and use it as a sole data source in habitat models. This work expands on mapping approaches, that are valuable, but cannot be applied to dynamic habitat types (e.g., ice concentration). This work shows how IK can be meaningfully included in modelling and be considered in current approaches for species management.