Antarctica Flashcards
Antarctica’s area covers how much land?
14 million km squared
How much of earths ice and fresh water is stored there?
90% ice
70% fresh water
What is the average temperature?
-49°C
What does a lack of water, warmth and sunlight mean?
The ecosystem is very fragile, easily damaged and can take a long time to recover
What are the four main threats to Antarctica?
Climate Change
Fishing and whaling
Search for minerals
Tourism and research
How much had the temp increased by in areas of the west coast?
As much as 3°C in the past five decades (one of the fastest ten rises on earth)
What has happened to the ice shelves?
Shelves around the Weddell Sea and Ross Sea have melted and are retreating
Why are penguins in danger?
Those adapted to sea ice (Adélie penguins) have declined and there are more that are adapted to open sea conditions (Chinstrap penguins)
What is the impact of climate change on Krill?
Krill depend on the environment and the population has declined by roughly 80% since the 1970s as they depend on the ice environment
Why is the decline in Krill bad?
As it is the main food source for penguins, whales and seals, their decline would lead to less of these animals as well
How has climate change affected sea levels?
Melting ice have caused global sea levels to rise 3mm a year since the 1990s
How has overfishing impacted krill?
Over 200,000 tonnes of krill was fished in 2013 and reduced amounts of krill had effects on the food chain
How are stocks kept at a sustainable level?
There are legal limits on the amount of fish that can be caught however lots of illegal fishing takes place as it is difficult to monitor
When and why has whaling declined?
Since 1982 when regulations were brought in to ban commercial whaling
How do some countries get around whaling bans?
Kill whales for ‘scientific’ purposes
What is happening to the whale population now?
It is slowly recovering but as whales are slow breeders it will take a lot of time for the population to fully recover
What is there believed to be a lot of in Antarctica?
Lots of minerals such as coal and iron in the Transatlantic Mountains as well as large oil reserves under the Southern Ocean
Why hasn’t there been any mining yet?
It is currently banned and conditions aren’t favourable as it’s too far to transport any machinery and the landscape and climate would also make it difficult
Why might mining become more likely in the future?
Increasing demand for minerals and oil as supplies are depleted elsewhere. This would damage the environment
What does tourism do to Antarctica?
Increases shipping and air travel which polluted water and air
With more tourism what risk could increase?
Boats grounding or hitting icebergs which can cause fuel spills
How may tourists affect Antarctica?
Disturb breeding colonies of birds
Trampling damages vegetation and erodes landscape
Litter and waste disposal damages habitats and wildlife
What may happen if non native species are introduced?
Alter food webs and ecosystems
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
Was made in 1959 about how to sustainably manage Antarctica’s ecosystem. It is signed by 53 countries.
What rules are included in the Antarctic Treaty?
Only used for peaceful reasons - no army bases/weapons
Countries should cooperate on scientific research in Antarctica
Should remain a global common
What does the IWC do?
Regulates whaling to make sure the population is at sustainable levels
When and where did the IWC set up a whale sanctuary?
In 1994 in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica
How are the IWC criticised?
Do not properly monitor the number of whales in the sanctuary
What is the Whaling Moratorium?
Set up by the IWC in 1982 banning all commercial whaling around the world
How is the moratoriums success measured?
By estimating whale populations based on sightings and modelling
What do countries think about the moratorium?
Some (like the US and Australia) believe there should be a better monitoring system but others (like Japan and Norway) say the IWC does not have the authority to monitor
Why was ASOC formed?
Formed in 1978 from a group of NGOs concerned that some countries were planning to make it legal to search for oil, gas and minerals
What does ASOC do?
Monitors environmental changes and makes sure countries stick to the rules
