4) Sustaining Ecosystems - The Arctic and Antarctic Flashcards
Flora in the Arctic
Low shrubs and grasses e.g. Arctic poppies
Flora in the Antarctic
Almost no vegetation e.g. lichens
Climate in the Arctic
Average of 0c in summer and -40c in winter
Why are the Arctic and Antarctic so cold?
Lack of direct sunlight
Climate in Antarctic
Average of -28c in summer and -60c in winter
Average amount of precipitation in Arctic
Less than 500 mm
Average amount of precipitation in Antarctic
Around 100 mm
Features of the land and sea in the Arctic
Not a land continent
Ice reaches a height of 2-3 metres
It is sea pack ice surrounded by oceans
Mountains, tundra
Features of the land and sea in the Antarctic
A land mass which is 99% covered by an ice sheet
Ice can be 4.5 km thick in some places
Quite mountainous
Human activities in the Arctic 3
Population of over 4 million people
Many indigenous people
Mining
Human activities in the Antarctic
Scientific bases
Tourist visitors
What are the three indigenous tribes living in the Arctic?
Inuit
Sami
Yupik
Fauna in the Arctic
A variety of birds and mammals, e.g. whales, caribou etc
Fauna in the Antarctic
No terrestrial mammals
They all rely on the sea for food and breeding
Penguins, seals, whales etc.
The future of the Arctic 2
Threats from climate change
Extraction of oils, gases and metals
The future of the Antarctic 3
Threatened by climate change
Extraction of fossil fuels
Claims of sovereignty
Why are the colder ecosystems much more vulnerable to change?
There is low biodiversity because of the harsh conditions
Why are ocean currents and winds important in colder climates?
They open up gaps in the sea ice. This means more light can get through so plants can produce more food, feeding the whole food chain
Why will climate change have such a huge impact?
Many animals rely on the sea ice for feeding and breeding, so this threatens their survival
Why is the soil low in nutrients in the Arctic?
Because of the cold conditions, it means that plants and animals are broken down very slowly, which reduces nutrients in the soil and therefore plant growth rates
What is the permafrost?
Land which is permanently frozen
What is the active layer?
The layer on top of the permafrost which can melt
Soil conditions of the tundra 2
The ground is often frozen or saturated from meltwaters
There is only a thin layer of humus as decomposition takes a long time
Characteristics of plants in the tundra 3
They have short roots
Small leaves to reduce transpiration
Low and compact, reaching a maximum height of 30cm
Why does tourism have a huge impact on the polar ecosystems? 3
Increased pollution
Tourists can damage habitats
Litter and waste stays in the ecosystem for a long time
Why is litter a huge concern in the polar ecosystems?
It takes such a long time to decompose because of the extreme conditions
Why is fishing such a huge problem?
Because of the low biodiversity, over-fishing has major impacts on other animals in the ecosystem
Why is scientific research good here?
It means they can monitor climate change and get more information about the ecosystem
Why is scientific research bad here?
They can dump litter, which pollutes the ecosystem
Why is whaling such a concern?
They are slow breeders so it takes them a long time to recover
Why is mineral extraction so dangerous? 3
Oil spills are harmful to wildlife
Lots of pollution
Pipelines have to be built, which damages environments
Where do the Sami people come from?
Northern Europe
Where do the Inuit people come from?
Greenland, Canada and USA
Where do the Koryak people come from?
Russia
How do indigenous people impact the polar ecosystems?
They build homes, which increases pollution and kill animals to feed themselves and their families
How do the Sami people impact the ecosystem?
They are killing and eating fish that are a huge part of many ecosystems
How do the Inuits impact the ecosystem?
They hunt and fish
How do the Koryak people impact the ecosystem?
They hunt and herd reindeer
How is the Antarctic being managed?
The Arctic Treaty - SEE CARDS
Give an example of a small scale project that uses sustainable management in the Arctic
The Clyde River Marine Wildlife Sanctuary - SEE CARDS
