1.2.4 Cold Environments (Polar And Tundra) Characteristics

Question 1

Where are polar Environments found? (2p)

Answer 1

• Inland areas far from the warming influence of the sea
• All of Antarctica and some of the Arctic

Question 2

Average monthly temperature of polar environments

Answer 2

Below freezing

Question 3

How does precipitation fall in polar environments?

Answer 3

As snow

Question 4

Are most polar regions partly covered with icecaps

Answer 4

Yes

Question 5

Winters in polar dessert

Answer 5

Permanently dark

Question 6

Which cold environment is a cold desert?

Answer 6

Polar biome

Question 7

Characteristics of the ground in polar environments (3p)

Answer 7

• Soil is almost nonexistent
• The floor is mostly frozen, bare rock
• Permafrost is found here

Question 8

Where are tundra environments found? (2p)

Answer 8

• Found in the northern hemisphere (the arctic)
• occupy 1/5 of Earth’s land surface

Question 9

What is the ground like in tundra environments? (2p)

Answer 9

• Lack permanent ice cover
• Permafrost is found here but the active layer melts fo 1 or 2 months a year

Question 10

What is the soil like in tundra environments? (3p)

Answer 10

• Thin soils aren’t particularly fertile
• Waterlogged soil in the summer and frozen in the winter
• Soil depth and fertility increases the further you get from the poles

Question 11

Difference in temperature range between tundra and polar environments? (2p)

Answer 11

• Tundra has a significant temperature range
• In comparison, polar environments temperature is always below freezing

Question 12

Soilfluction

Answer 12

the gradual movement of wet soil or other materials down a slope

Question 13

Which environment does soilfluction occur?

Answer 13

Tundra biome

Question 14

Permafrost

Answer 14

Permafrost is a permanently frozen layer on or under Earth’s surface

Question 15

Active layer

Answer 15

the seasonally thawed surface layer above permafrost