Paper Short Abstract:

Sakha circular economy rely heavily on the knowledge and skills of ungulate animals; thus, understanding local environmental perception requires acknowledging more than just human knowledge. In my paper, I explore how local adaptation processes can be examined from a multi-species perspective amid rapid ecological and societal changes.

Paper Abstract:

Ungulate animals are essential in more than just human Sakha sociality in subarctic Yakutia. The lowlands of Central Yakutia are dotted with lentil-shaped thermokarst depressions, known as alaas in Sakha, which foster a rich array of meadow and herbaceous vegetation within the ever-present boreal forest of the taiga. This unique environment creates an interconnected network of habitats for both grazing ungulates and humans.

Humans engage with these animals by breeding, hunting, and consuming them, with venison, beef, and horse meat serving as staples of the local cuisine. The coexistence of ungulate animals and humans facilitates the sharing of knowledge and communication across species, leading to the formation of complex, multi-layered mental "maps." These maps arise from the different ways that species sense, perceive, and navigate through meadows.

The Sakha herders, hunters, and the local circular economy rely heavily on the knowledge and skills of ungulate animals; thus, understanding local environmental perception requires acknowledging more than just human knowledge. In my paper, I explore how local adaptation processes can be examined from a multi-species perspective amid rapid ecological and societal changes.