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New migration and distribution patterns of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) around Nunavik (Quebec, Canada) identified using Inuit Knowledge

ABSTRACT: Environmental changes are affecting the Arctic at an unprecedented rate, but limited scientific knowledge exists on their impacts on species such as walruses (Odobenus rosmarus). Inuit Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge (Inuit TEK/LEK) held by Inuit walrus harvesters could shed light on walrus ecology and related environmental changes. Our main objective was to study spatial and temporal changes in Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) distribution in Nunavik (northern Québec, Canada) using Inuit TEK/LEK. To do so, we documented the knowledge and observations of 33 local hunters and Elders as part of a larger project on Atlantic walruses in Nunavik. We first gathered information on changes in Inuit land use patterns and harvesting practices through time and space, which was a crucial step to avoid potential biases in interpreting local observations on walrus distribution. We found that walrus hunters are now covering smaller hunting areas over shorter time periods, reducing in space and time their observations of Atlantic walruses around Nunavik. While clearly taking these limitations into account, we learned from interviews that some areas abandoned by Atlantic walruses in the past were now being re-occupied. Importantly, Atlantic walruses, which migrate following the melting ice, are now traveling along the eastern coast of Nunavik one month earlier, suggesting that Atlantic walrus migration has changed due to variations in sea-ice coverage around Nunavik. Our study not only highlighted important changes in Atlantic walrus distribution and migration in Nunavik, but also sheds light on the importance of documenting temporal and spatial changes in Inuit land use patterns and harvesting practices to understand the ecology of Arctic species using Inuit Knowledge.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00300-021-02920-6.

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Levasseur L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8550009 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundPacific walruses are found in Arctic regions of the Chukchi and Bering Sea where rapid changes in environmental conditions resulting in loss of sea ice are occurring. Therefore, accurate life history data are crucial for species management plans and longitudinal data collected over the lives of individual walruses housed in zoos and aquaria provide otherwise difficult to obtain biological information.ResultsWhile similar at birth, Gompertz regression curves indicated that males grew faster than females (p < 0.0001) in weight (99 kg vs 57.6 kg/y) and length (26.9 cm vs 26.3 cm/y) with physical differences being detected by age 3 for weight and age 7 for length. Males reached adult weight at 13.5 ± 3.3 y and females by age 12.3 ± 2.3 y. The mean age at first ovulation and at first conception occurred at 8.8 y and 9.6 y. Greater than 75% of all conceptions and calving occurred between February and March and from May to June, respectively. Mean gestation lasted 423 d and false pregnancies lasted at least 169 d with a decrease (p < 0.05) in serum progesterone concentration between false pregnancy and pregnancy occurring within 6 months after ovulation. Based on these results, we estimated embryonic diapause to last from 120 to 139 days, and fetal growth last ~ 284 days. All males older than 8 y had an increase in serum testosterone and body weight that was highest in February and lowest in July. Overall, no differences were observed between male and female survival, with a mean (± SEM) life expectancy of 19.5 ± 1.5 y, respectively. Currently, the oldest male and female captive walruses are 40 and 43 y, respectively.ConclusionsData provided herein include details of life history characteristics of zoo and aquaria housed walruses that are useful for wild population recovery models. In particular, results on survivorship and the identification of the most vulnerable period for calf survival can help with model development and suggests that for recovery to occur birthing locations for this species must be protected.

Dataset Information

New migration and distribution patterns of Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) around Nunavik (Quebec, Canada) identified using Inuit Knowledge

Supplementary Information

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