Indigenous-Led Analysis of Important Subsistence Species Response to Resource Extraction

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Wildlife Management
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Subsistence hunting is crucial for Indigenous Peoples' food security and cultural practices.
• Resource extraction in Canada's boreal forest disrupts wildlife distribution and food availability.
• Moose (Alces alces) are a key protein source for many First Nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate moose habitat use and responses to stressors in north-central Alberta.
• To examine the effects of human-caused stressors on moose habitat use by sex and age class.
• To link human disturbance to declines in moose densities and displacement from traditional hunting grounds.

Main Methods:

• Indigenous authors designed the study and processed remote camera trap data.
• Western scientists generated generalized linear models to analyze moose habitat use.
• Coproduction of knowledge examined effects of fire, harvest, and resource extraction on moose.

Main Results:

• Land cover types and resource extraction significantly influenced moose habitat use.
• Moose exhibited different habitat use patterns based on sex and age class.
• Young moose avoided human disturbances like seismic lines but used natural disturbances like burned areas.

Conclusions:

• Human disturbance is linked to reduced moose densities and displacement from traditional territories.
• Understanding moose distribution shifts is critical for Indigenous food security and sovereignty.
• Industries operating on First Nations lands must improve responsible engagement with Indigenous communities.