Potential River Watershed Contaminant Monitoring Indicators

Abstract

We explore frameworks and techniques for aligning stakeholder values in a One Health approach with potential bioindicators of change that could be monitored at different spatial scales. River watersheds are one of Alaska's most complex terrestrial features, conducting important biological activities while also providing services to humans. Rivers are crucial for both estuarine and aquatic biota, as well as biogeochemical and physical processes. The Yukon watershed provides a broadscale opportunity for communities to monitor the environment, manage resources, and contribute to stewardship policy formation. Watershed functions have been employed as environmental and socioeconomic resilience vulnerability indicators. The environmental impacts of local efforts to provide food, shelter, and clothing for rural communities are much more limited than those of today’s economically motivated industries (agricultural, forestry, and textile, for example) that supply large urban centers. Despite its long history of human activity, the Yukon River has not gotten the same comprehensive and multidisciplinary research as the other great American river systems. We can learn about regime-shifting pressures like fire, poisons, and invasive species development by adopting hypothesis-based monitoring of important watershed functions. Community resilience can be maintained by combining adaptive risk management strategies including stakeholders with place-based education, particularly on pollutants and nutrition. Monitoring keystone species and community activities like citizen science are the initial steps in tracking resiliency changes across the Yukon watershed. Creating a policy climate that supports local experimentation and innovation helps to maintain resilience during times of stress brought on by development.