TOMSK, Sep 14 – RIA Tomsk. Scientists of Tomsk State University's (TSU) SecNet research network together with experts from the INTERACT international project are creating a network of "citizen researchers" from the indigenous peoples of the North; involving local residents in climate observations allows to record events unknown to professionals, TSU press service reported.
"Unlike scientists who are only being (in the Arctic) on a visit, the indigenous people are here all the time. They know what happens at different times to water bodies, what atypical natural phenomena take place and much more. This data is extremely important. We can learn first-hand what is happening with nature and weather in the Arctic," the press service quotes TSU SecNet coordinator Olga Shaduyko.
For example, in the autumn-winter of 2020-2021, a local cataclysm occurred in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO). From mid-November and early December it rained, followed immediately by a prolonged freeze-up. This led to an ice crust on the moss-covered pastures, which prevented reindeer from reaching the fodder, causing the deaths. According to the reindeer herders' accounts, they dispersed the herds, the animals scattered in the tundra in search of food, went away towards Taimyr. Most did not return.
"The paradox of the situation is that our foreign colleagues, meteorologists, working with international databases, did not note any peaks in the meteorological station readings. This once again proves that on-site observations, in terms of reliable information, are simply irreplaceable," Shaduyko said.
During a working trip to the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO), SecNet scientists and representatives of indigenous peoples agreed that local fishermen and hunters would join the observations. This will provide additional information about the state of biodiversity and landscapes in the Arctic, stresses the report.
Earlier it was reported that according to TSU's SecNet network, the average annual temperature in Siberia and the Subarctic has increased by four degrees over the past half century, leading to tornadoes in these areas. The data that scientists are now collecting are needed to work out mechanisms of adaptation to warming, without which mankind faces socio-economic disruption.
Earlier it was reported that the SecNet was created within the framework of the Trans-Siberian Scientific Way (TSSW) Institute of TSU as a tool for studying Siberia and the Arctic. Its structure includes leading institutes of Russia, Great Britain, Norway, the USA and Canada. The SecNet partners are INTERACT, University of the Arctic, American National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), and Canadian mountain station network.