Clam research in Nunavut: A scoping review of the literature

Clams are an important country food with cultural, environmental, and health significance for Inuit communities in Nunavut. We analyzed the extent, range, and nature of published research on clams in Nunavut, Canada. We used a systematic and transparent scoping review methodology by applying a search string across three databases to identify potentially relevant articles. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts (phase 1), followed by article full texts (phase 2), using inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted from 25 included articles and descriptively analyzed. We also conducted thematic analysis to identify overarching themes, ideas, and gaps. The most frequent topic of research was using clams to understand ecological histories (n = 10/25; 40 %), followed by the biology of clams (n = 7/25; 28 %), environmental indicators (n = 6/25; 20 %), and foodborne illnesses (n = 2/25; 8 %). We did not identify any articles that investigated the nutritional value of clams, food security, or Indigenous knowledges. Out of all included articles, just over one-quarter described Inuit involvement in the research (n = 7/25; 28 %). Our review highlights and documents how clam research has predominantly focused on natural and environmental sciences in Nunavut. Published research that explores health and social dimensions of clams in Nunavut has so far been limited. Given that clams are not only an ecologically important species but also hold health and cultural significance for communities in Nunavut, further research to capture a diversity of topics - as well as the intersection among topics - could support food-related programming, policies, and decisions intended to foster Inuit wellbeing.