New landscape change video features local knowledge

A new video, Observations of Landscape Change in Interior Alaska -- Nenana Local Knowledge Holders and LTER Researchers, has been released by the Long Term Ecological Research Program at UAF.

Fish wheels and salmon harvests are in the harvesters' discussions, as well as other aspects of the changing climate.

The 20-minute film features interviews with LTER researchers, including SNRE's Professor Gary Kofinas, and many Nenana-area residents who expressed concerns about dwindling moose and fish harvests, drought, forest fires, changing rivers and permafrost.
 

Kofinas said it is crucial to learn from the people who live there and know the land. "We hope to develop a long-term community-based research and monitoring program that contributes to the work of scientists and to community sustainability," he said.

 

Professor Emeritus Terry Chapin said climate change at high latitudes impacts people tied to the land. Dramatic changes in wildfires and disappearing lakes make a huge difference to people who make their lives on the land, he said.

The film, produced by the Bonanza Creek LTER, would not have been possible without the tremendous contributions of the Nenana harvesters and the tireless work of technician Naomi O'Neal, Kofinas said. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation and Alaska EPSCoR.

DVDs are available by contacting Professor Kofinas at gpkofinas@alaska.edu.