Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: South Slave Region

étiquettes: environmental monitoring, caribou, traditional knowledge, wildlife migration

Objectif(s): To collect and analyze traditional knowledge and ecological data of landscape-caribou interactions; to develop a set of community-based indicators to assist the community of Lutsel K'e in the monitoring of barren-ground caribou movements within their traditional territory; and to conduct research in collaboration with the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation through an Elder Steering Committee and mentorship of local youth through training acitivities related to environmental monitoring and computer mapping systems.

Description du projet: Ths research project is being carried out under the direction of the Wildlife, Lands and Environment Committee (WLEC) in Lutsel K’e and in collaboration with a community research assistant. The objectives of this research project are to: (1) collect and analyze traditional knowledge and ecological data of landscape-caribou interactions; (2) develop a set of community-based indicators to assist the community of Lutsel K'e in the monitoring of barren-ground caribou movements within their traditional territory; (3) provide industrial developers in the region, including Diavik Diamond Mines and BHP Billiton, with recommendations for the use of Denesoline Traditional Knowledge in environmental monitoring; (4) conduct research in collaboration with the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation through an Elder Steering Committee and mentorship of local youth through training activities related to environmental monitoring and computer mapping systems; (5) employ mixed methodological approaches to foster collaboration between traditional knowledge and scientific principles of research; and (6) ensure project outcomes reflect community needs; dissemination of research results will be carried out through community workshops, a community report and all new traditional knowledge data will be compiled and added to the community’s traditional knowledge database so it may be accessed by all community members. An interdisciplinary approach, including methodologies from conservation biology, landscape ecology and cultural anthropology, will shed light on the social and ecological value of these sites and provide a framework for assessing the impact of mineral resource development on movement of caribou in the study area. A transect of crossing sites (eda) will be identified in collaboration with Denesoline elders and caribou biologists. Along this gradient, baseline research will identify key indicators of caribou habitat health and caribou movements, with the ultimate goal of determining trends and patterns within the zone of influence of the mine. Specifically, the proposed research will investigate caribou-landscape interactions at Artillery Lake. Collection of data at this site will attempt to address the following three questions: 1. How is caribou movement influenced by landscape disturbance? 2. What is the spatial distribution of these effects; and 3. How do these changes impact other human-wildlife interactions including harvesting by Dene people? Spatial data for each of the sites will be analyzed to create descriptions of vegetation cover, topography and degree of anthropogenic landscape disturbance. Caribou use of these crossing sites will be calculated through sampling and analysis of tree root scars of black spruce (Picea mariana) using established methodologies employed to estimate caribou population cycles in this region and in northern Quebec. The research team will work with a community researcher and mentor them in the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and general computer training as well as site assessment techniques (eg. identification of roots scars on black spruce to age caribou trails). The research team will also work to engage youth in the documentation and interpretation of elder stories about caribou. New equipment including computers and audio and video recorders have been provided. Previous project scoping was undertaken. Fifty days were spent in the community meeting with elders, researchers with the Nihat'ni Dene program, the Thaidene Nene program and summer employees with the Wildlife, Lands and Environment office. On the land interviews were conducted with elders in collaboration with Dr. Parlee to identify key considerations in the direction of the research. The research team also worked collaboratively with the WLED office to create a digital traditional knowledge database that will be accessible to the entire community. Ongoing communication with community elders and the Wildlife office will ensure research objectives are in line with community desires and that members are informed of the progress of the project. A community report summarizing all research completed will be presented to the WELC. A community meeting summarizing the results of the project will provide a forum for the community to provide guidance for future research. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from July 25, 2012 to December 30, 2012.