Nov 4, 2024
Indigenous hunting and beluga populations
Science Sessions are brief conversations with cutting-edge researchers, National Academy members, and policymakers as they discuss topics relevant to today's scientific community. Learn the behind-the-scenes story of work published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), plus a broad range of scientific news about discoveries that affect the world around us.
In this episode, Max Friesen, Eline Lorenzen, and Mikkel Skovrind explore beluga population dynamics in relation to subsistence hunting by Indigenous communities in northern Canada.
In this episode, we cover:
•[00:00] Introduction
•[01:01] Archaeologist Max Friesen talks about the role of belugas
in Inuvialuit culture.
•[01:45] Evolutionary biologist Eline Lorenzen talks about the
background of the study.
•[02:26] Naturalist Mikkel Skovrind explains the methods of the
study, including the sources of beluga samples and the methods of
analysis.
•[03:58] Skovrind introduces the results of the study, including
the changing ratio of males to females harvested.
•[06:07] Lorenzen describes the finding that genetic diversity of
belugas had not declined over time.
•[06:59] Friesen and Lorenzen talk about what the study reveals,
and suggests, about past hunting methods.
•[08:09] The authors explain the caveats and limitations of the
study.
•[09:05] Skovrind and Friesen explore the implications of the study
for traditional subsistence hunting practices.
•[10:19] Conclusion
About Our Guests:
Max Friesen
Professor
University of Toronto
Eline Lorenzen
Professor
University of Copenhagen
Mikkel Skovrind
Postdoctoral researcher
Lund University
View related content here: https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.2405993121
Follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts for more captivating discussions on scientific breakthroughs!
Visit Science Sessions on PNAS.org: https://www.pnas.org/about/science-sessions-podcast
Follow PNAS:
Twitter/X
Facebook
LinkedIn
YouTube
Sign up for the
PNAS Highlights newsletter