4) Sustaining Ecosystems - The Arctic and Antarctic

Question 1

Flora in the Arctic

Answer 1

Low shrubs and grasses e.g. Arctic poppies

Question 2

Flora in the Antarctic

Answer 2

Almost no vegetation e.g. lichens

Question 3

Climate in the Arctic

Answer 3

Average of 0c in summer and -40c in winter

Question 4

Why are the Arctic and Antarctic so cold?

Answer 4

Lack of direct sunlight

Question 5

Climate in Antarctic

Answer 5

Average of -28c in summer and -60c in winter

Question 6

Average amount of precipitation in Arctic

Answer 6

Less than 500 mm

Question 7

Average amount of precipitation in Antarctic

Answer 7

Around 100 mm

Question 8

Features of the land and sea in the Arctic

Answer 8

Not a land continent
Ice reaches a height of 2-3 metres
It is sea pack ice surrounded by oceans
Mountains, tundra

Question 9

Features of the land and sea in the Antarctic

Answer 9

A land mass which is 99% covered by an ice sheet
Ice can be 4.5 km thick in some places
Quite mountainous

Question 10

Human activities in the Arctic 3

Answer 10

Population of over 4 million people
Many indigenous people
Mining

Question 11

Human activities in the Antarctic

Answer 11

Scientific bases

Tourist visitors

Question 12

What are the three indigenous tribes living in the Arctic?

Answer 12

Inuit
Sami
Yupik

Question 13

Fauna in the Arctic

Answer 13

A variety of birds and mammals, e.g. whales, caribou etc

Question 14

Fauna in the Antarctic

Answer 14

No terrestrial mammals
They all rely on the sea for food and breeding
Penguins, seals, whales etc.

Question 15

The future of the Arctic 2

Answer 15

Threats from climate change

Extraction of oils, gases and metals

Question 16

The future of the Antarctic 3

Answer 16

Threatened by climate change
Extraction of fossil fuels
Claims of sovereignty

Question 17

Why are the colder ecosystems much more vulnerable to change?

Answer 17

There is low biodiversity because of the harsh conditions

Question 18

Why are ocean currents and winds important in colder climates?

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Why will climate change have such a huge impact?

Answer 19

Many animals rely on the sea ice for feeding and breeding, so this threatens their survival

Question 20

Why is the soil low in nutrients in the Arctic?

Answer 20

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

Question 21

What is the permafrost?

Answer 21

Land which is permanently frozen

Question 22

What is the active layer?

Answer 22

The layer on top of the permafrost which can melt

Question 23

Soil conditions of the tundra 2

Answer 23

The ground is often frozen or saturated from meltwaters

There is only a thin layer of humus as decomposition takes a long time

Question 24

Characteristics of plants in the tundra 3

Answer 24

They have short roots
Small leaves to reduce transpiration
Low and compact, reaching a maximum height of 30cm

Question 25

Why does tourism have a huge impact on the polar ecosystems? 3

Answer 25

Increased pollution Tourists can damage habitats Litter and waste stays in the ecosystem for a long time

Question 26

Why is litter a huge concern in the polar ecosystems?

Answer 26

It takes such a long time to decompose because of the extreme conditions

Question 27

Why is fishing such a huge problem?

Answer 27

Because of the low biodiversity, over-fishing has major impacts on other animals in the ecosystem

Question 28

Why is scientific research good here?

Answer 28

It means they can monitor climate change and get more information about the ecosystem

Question 29

Why is scientific research bad here?

Answer 29

They can dump litter, which pollutes the ecosystem

Question 30

Why is whaling such a concern?

Answer 30

They are slow breeders so it takes them a long time to recover

Question 31

Why is mineral extraction so dangerous? 3

Answer 31

Oil spills are harmful to wildlife Lots of pollution Pipelines have to be built, which damages environments

Question 32

Where do the Sami people come from?

Answer 32

Northern Europe

Question 33

Where do the Inuit people come from?

Answer 33

Greenland, Canada and USA

Question 34

Where do the Koryak people come from?

Answer 34

Russia

Question 35

How do indigenous people impact the polar ecosystems?

Answer 35

They build homes, which increases pollution and kill animals to feed themselves and their families

Question 36

How do the Sami people impact the ecosystem?

Answer 36

They are killing and eating fish that are a huge part of many ecosystems

Question 37

How do the Inuits impact the ecosystem?

Answer 37

They hunt and fish

Question 38

How do the Koryak people impact the ecosystem?

Answer 38

They hunt and herd reindeer

Question 39

How is the Antarctic being managed?

Answer 39

The Arctic Treaty - SEE CARDS

Question 40

Give an example of a small scale project that uses sustainable management in the Arctic

Answer 40

The Clyde River Marine Wildlife Sanctuary - SEE CARDS