Distinctive Features of Human Adaptation to the Environment of the Arctic Zone of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)

Abstract

The paper gives a medico-geographical analysis of various Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Yakutia, namely, the city of Yakutsk, the town of Nam of Namsky District and the rural town of Tiksi of Bulunsky District. A new methodological approach and methods are suggested for assessing the adaptation process of residents of Russia’s Eastern Arctic using the medico-ecological screening of the population. This procedure found the general adaptation syndrome among the residents of Yakutia’s sub-Arctic and Arctic areas. A survey was used to investigate the impacts of different environmental factors on adaptation indicators among various groups residing in some of Yakutia’s districts. Adaptation parameters were defined among indigenous and non-indigenous groups living in various Arctic areas in terms of extreme environmental conditions affecting human adaptation to changing environments.