Traditional knowledge of the ecology of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas

ABSTRACT. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has been used opportunistically in biological studies of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Alaska, but no previous research has documented this knowledge systematically. This first such effort, which took place in Norton Bay, Buckland, and Poin...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Henry P. Huntington, The Communities, Of Buckland, Point Lay
Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: 1999
Subjects:
Key words
beluga whale
white whale
Delphinapterus leucas
Bering Sea
Chukchi Sea
ecology
traditional ecological
Arctic
Beluga
Beluga whale
Beluga*
Chukchi
White whale
Alaska
Online Access:http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.694.3781
http://pubs.aina.ucalgary.ca/arctic/Arctic52-1-49.pdf
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) has been used opportunistically in biological studies of beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas) in Alaska, but no previous research has documented this knowledge systematically. This first such effort, which took place in Norton Bay, Buckland, and Point Lay, Alaska, provided descriptions of migratory and local movements, feeding, calving, ecological interactions, and human influences on distribution and behavior. The results are consistent with those of previous studies but add considerable detail, including descriptions of avoidance and habituation responses to anthropogenic noise, which appear to depend in part on association with hunting activities. Making greater use of TEK will benefit both research and management by providing better information and by expanding the collaborative process developed through co-management.

Similar Items