"Cold deficiency" and degradation of permafrost soils as a factor of transformation of hunting activity among the Yakuts

Abstract

One of the most important global problems of the XXI century is climate change. Every year, in some parts of the world, a decrease in annual precipitation and temperature is recorded, in others, on the contrary, an increase. These fluctuations can cause droughts, floods and degradation of permafrost soils. Further climate change may cause irreparable damage to traditional farming methods and adversely affect housing conditions in many regions of the globe. Thus, climate change can complicate and disrupt the established order of life and activity of the population of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). This paper highlights a problem that has not been specifically studied before, and which concerns all hunters of the republic, the impact of climate change on hunting activities. The work is based on field materials collected by Vilyuysky and Tattinsky districts. Field materials were collected by audio, photo and video recording, in-depth interviewing and included observation during field work in the Vilyuysky and Tattinsky districts of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). In earlier scientific works research was conducted separately on the topic of the impact of climate change on the daily life and economic activities of the Yakuts, in this work hunting activity was considered. Hunters who participated in the research adapt to the changing climate in various ways: they increase the range of hunting area, equip trips over longer distances than before, learn to re-read changes in weather conditions, manufacture and use various devices for hunting and storage. The main conclusions of the research are that climatic changes directly or indirectly affect hunting activities in the studied areas: ordinary amateur hunters note that the habitat of animals is changing, roads are being destroyed, the soil of hunting grounds is degrading, there is a danger of the spread of various diseases.