Antarctica Flashcards
Statistics and Facts
How is climate change affecting the Antarctica?
The East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) is very stable so a few degree increase won’t affect it. The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) is unstable and susceptible to sea level rise - can lead to ice streams removes ice faster then just melting. Antarctic Peninsula rapidly warming and air temp increased by 3 degrees C over past 50 years.
What is UNEP’s role in Antarctica?
-To monitor and report about what occurs in Antarctica
-Raise awareness
-Facilitating international cooperation on enviro protection (but is limited by resource constraints).
Why did whaling occur and what challenges does the International Whaling Commission face?
For meat, oil and whalebone.
Some whaling activities still continue under guise of scientific research while they are inspecting the area.
What regulates fishing and why were regulations needed in Antarctica?
Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR).
It was need due to the exploitation of krill (and rock cod) that are crucial to the area and their extinction could cause ecology to collapse.
What were the drawbacks of the Antarctica Treaty System (ATS)?
It did not address mining activities which became controversial. In 1988 reached consensus - no mining if risk to enviro. USA, Japan and UK all argued against this. BUT now bans all mining activity.
What are examples of tourism in Antarctica?
Small scale and began in the 1950s ~9000/year now in 2022/23 ~100,000/year.
The British Arctic Survey (BAS) give tours at their research station.
What are the concerns of tourism in Antarctica?
Vessel traffic, waste generation, introduction of invasive species and ocean pollution (oil spills) could cause degradation of the ecosystem. And can disrupt breeding in the summer months.
What are the disadvantages of research stations on Antarctica’s ecosystem?
Require infrastructure - runways and buildings.
Generates waste - hazardous/non-biodegradable materials can contaminate the soil.
