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The Atlantic Walrus addresses the key dimensions of walrus and human interactions across the North Atlantic and the Arctic over the past 4,000 years. It establishes a new synthesis of historical ecology and biology, focusing on the effects of climate change on the species population and the different phases of human impacts.
This book begins with the genetics and behaviour of the Atlantic walrus, delving into the evolution and the purposes behind its unique anatomy. It details prehistoric pristine walrus populations, subsequently effected by Indigenous and Viking hunting and usage. This book emphasizes the importance of molecular advances and biological research on the Atlantic walrus to better understand the species and how to conserve its remaining population from the effects of climate change, hunting, and disease.
The Atlantic Walrus is the ideal resource for marine biologists and conservationists who require the most updated and accurate source of biological and historical information on the species. Paleoecologists will also find this useful for the evolution of the Atlantic walrus and how the species has needed to adapt to the environment and its neighbouring humans to survive.
Section I: Atlantic Walrus Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
1. Atlantic Walrus Evolution
2. General Ecology and Behavior of Atlantic Walruses
3. Current Stocks, Distribution, and Population Estimates
Section II: Indigenous Walrus Roles – 4,000 BC to Present
4. The Role of the Walrus in Artic Indigenous Cultures and Mythology
5. Paleo-Inuit Walrus Use in Article Canada and Greenland
6. Neo-Inuit Walrus Use in Arctic Canada and Greenland – 1250 AD to Present
Section III: Non-Indigenous Walrus Roles – Medieval Times to Present
7. European and Greenlandic Norse (Viking) Walrus Hunting – Methods, Techniques, and Extent
8. Medieval European Ivory Exchange
9. Modern Commercial Atlantic Walrus Exploitation
10. Historical Management of the Atlantic Walrus
Section IV: Future Directions and Innovations in Atlantic Walrus Research
11. Molecular Advances in Archaeological and Biological Research
12. Marine Mammal Monitoring and Drone Technology Applications
13. Future Atlantic Walrus Management and Conservation in a Changing Arctic
Xénia Keighley is a biologist specializing in taxonomy and evolutionary processes. As a Marie Curie PhD student at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, she has brought together a dynamic network of researchers from across disciplines to investigate the historical- and palaeoecology of the Atlantic walrus. Xénia received her Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) in plant, evolutionary and environmental sciences from the Australian National University. In addition to a prestigious University Medal, she has received numerous awards and scholarships. Notably, she has communicated her research – and the research of others – to both scientific audiences and the wider public in traditional classroom settings and online forums.
Morten Tange Olsen is Assistant Professor and Curator of Marine Mammals at the Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, where he heads the Marine Mammal Ecology and Evolution group. He specializes in the ecology and evolution of marine mammals, using cutting-edge scientific techniques in a holistic integrative approach to understand and disseminate environment-human-animal interactions through scientific and popular publications, student supervision, university teaching and public outreach. He is vice-chair in HELCOM's marine mammal expert group, member of the Danish Nature Agency working group on seals, and participated in the establishment of the ICAZ working group on marine mammals.
Peter D. Jordan is Chair of Arctic Studies and Director of the Arctic Centre at the University of Groningen. He also serves on the Management Team of the Groningen (Research) Institute of Archaeology. He plays a leading role in Netherlands Polar research and serves as Netherlands National Representative in the Council of the International Arctic Science Committee and in its Social and Human Working Group. He also Chairs the IASC Polar Archaeology Network, and manages Dutch research conducted for the Arctic Council's Working Groups. He was active in IASC's ICARPIII planning process and ensured that the historical ecology of long-term human-environment interactions in the Circumpolar Arctic was adopted as one of its new crosscutting research theme.
Sean P. A. Desjardins is an ethnoarchaeologist and zooarchaeologist specializing in long-term cultural sustainability among Canadian Neo-Inuit (ca. AD 1250 to present). He earned his PhD in anthropology from McGill University in 2016. Since 2010, he has led both archaeological and ethnographic fieldwork in the Foxe Basin region of Nunavut, Arctic Canada. His current research documents recent-historic Inuit life – particularly diet and winter-house construction – across the region immediately prior to settlement in modern communities in the early 20th century. In addition to serving as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen, he represents the Netherlands in the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) of the Arctic Council.
