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Geography- Global Systems and Governance > Antarctica > Flashcards

Antarctica Flashcards

1
Q

Antarctica is the driest continent because…

A

Its’ annual precipitation is 50mm- polar desert

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2
Q

Antarctica is the windiest continent because…

A

Smooth Antarctic surface allows for fast winds not slowed by surface friction

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3
Q

Antarctica is the coldest continent because…

A

Average temperature is -49oc (feels colder due to wind chill)

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4
Q

Ablation

A

Opposite of accumulation
Processes that remove snow, ice, and water from a glacier or snowfield
(i.e. evaporation, melting of snow, ice running off a glacier, removal of snow by wind)

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5
Q

Nunatak

A

An exposed, often rock element of ridge, mountain or peak not covered with ice or snow within (or at the edge of) an ice field or glacier

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6
Q

Antarctic Convergence Zone

A

A natural boundary separating 2 distinct hydrological regions, areas of distinct climate, areas of distinct wildlife

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7
Q

Why does the Antarctic Convergence Zone vary seasonally?

A

Due to the expansion and contraction of sea ice

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8
Q

Thermohaline Circulation

A

Salt water moving along gradients creates the global thermohaline circulation
Water moves from hot to cold (convection)
Changes in salinity accelerate these changes

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9
Q

2 main factors that have increased the threat Antarctica faces

A

Technology- we can now get there

Greater demand for resources- exploiting Antarctica is now economically viable

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10
Q

What are the 4 main threats Antarctica faces?

A

Climate Change
Fishing and Whaling
Mineral Exploitation
Tourism and Scientific Research

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11
Q

Climate Change: Which parts of Antarctica are cooling?

Which parts aren’t?

A

East cooling- not near the coastal parts (ocean a radiator)

West melting- likely the East will grow as the West melts

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12
Q

Climate Change: What is the melting of the Antarctic Peninsula causing?

A

Positive dieback- loss of ice shelves has caused ice to speed up in land

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13
Q

Climate Change: How many tonnes of ice have been lost each year since 1993?
By how much have global sea levels increased as a result?

A

100 billion tonnes each year

Increased global sea levels by 0.2mm a year

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14
Q

Climate Change: What will partly offset the increase in the rate of ice melt?

A

Increased snow fall

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15
Q

Climate Change: By how much has Southern Ocean temperatures increased since 1995?

A

1oc

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16
Q

Climate Change: What impacts has the Southern Ocean warming more quickly that the oceans globally had?

A

Changed distribution of penguin colonies
Krill populations fallen by up to 80% in last 40 years
Melting snow = increased plant colonisation
Ocean acidification

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17
Q

Climate Change: Although the melting of ice shelves doesn’t contribute to sea level rise, how do they cause it?

A

Rate of flow of glaciers behind the ice shelves increases

These glaciers melt = sea level rise

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18
Q

Climate Change: Why might sea ice be expanding on the eastern side of Antarctica?

A

More snow and rain layering Southern Ocean with a cooler, denser top
More storms = local waters less salty, raises temp. of ice formation
Melting of continental land ice = icebergs- contributes to sea ice formation

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19
Q

Climate Change: What is the problem with the carbonic acid that would be created with increased atmospheric carbon dioxide?

A

Oceans would become a little more acidic

Could potentially corrode unprotected shells and skeletons- problems with food chain

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20
Q

Climate Change: Why would some argue global trade/ globalisation was responsible for climate change?

A

Global trade has increased movement of goods- increased fossil fuel consumption
(Antarctica doesn’t benefit from this trade at all, it is instead impacted by the pollution and waste generated from the trade)

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21
Q

Fishing and Whaling: Why are krill so heavily fished around Antarctica?

A

Fishing restrictions implemented in Northern Hemisphere

2007, catch allowance increased by nearly 600%

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22
Q

Fishing and Whaling: Problems with over fishing of krill?

A

Impacts food chain

Increases phytoplankton

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23
Q

Fishing and Whaling: When did whaling begin in this area?

A

1904

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24
Q

Fishing and Whaling: Where was the whale processing station located?

A

South Georgia

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25
Fishing and Whaling: When was commercial whaling banned?
1986
26
Mineral Exploitation: Where is there a large amount of coal?
On the coast and in the mountains
27
Mineral Exploitation: How many barrels of oil do the Ross and Weddell Seas combined hold?
50 billion barrels of oil
28
Mineral Exploitation: Demand for minerals could cause global ____ in the future
Conflict | Many countries already put in claims as safeguard measures
29
Tourism and Scientific Research: How many permanent scientific bases are there?
40 | Means resources have to be flown or shipped in
30
Tourism and Scientific Research: What happened with the Argentine navy transport ship in the late 20th century?
It ran aground Released 250,000 gallons of fuel Sea birds and krill were killed (This was a relatively contained oil spill)
31
Tourism and Scientific Research: What disturbs bird populations? What will worsen this?
Planes | Will be worsened if Australia opened their runway for tourism
32
Tourism and Scientific Research: What are the risks posed from tourism?
Contamination and spread of disease | Due to tourist numbers increasing, and little management (as not owned by one nation)
33
Tourism and Scientific Research: What's a positive of tourism?
Some profits from cruises donated to NGO's | Helps protect Antarctica in the future
34
When was the Antarctic Treaty signed, and enforced from?
1959, enforced from 1961
35
Key points from Antarctica Treaty articles
Sustainable management of Antarctica's ecosystems | Regarded as most successful piece of legislation
36
What is the Antarctic Treaty System?
A combination of the Antarctic Treaty and other related systems They hold annual meetings
37
IWC: What caused the issue of whaling to be first publicly broadcast? How did the public respond?
Greenpeace protesters confronting whaling fleets on the high seas Demand for whale began to rapidly reduce
38
IWC: What is the purpose of the International Whaling Commission?
Intergovernmental Organisation Regulates whaling, ensures whale populations are at sustainable levels Imposed Global Whaling Moratorium
39
IWC: When was the global whaling moratorium imposed? | When are whales still allowed to be killed?
1982 | For scientific purposes
40
IWC: Advantages of the moratorium?
Everyone in whaling industry lost out equally- no bias Whale populations have been able to recover Easy to spot someone whaling Raises awareness
41
IWC: Disadvantages of the moratorium?
Hard to monitor the whole of the Southern Ocean Some argue that everyone has the right to use Antarctica as it is a global common Greenpeace argues poorly enforced
42
IWC: Problems of Japan's abuse of the system
Other nations may follow | Around 300 whales killed each year
43
IWC: When was the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary established?
1994
44
IWC: Why was the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary established?
Provide whales with a refuge from whaling | Allows species to recover from serious overexploitation
45
IWC: Long term aims of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
Develop non-lethal research Provide economic benefits i.e. whale watching Increase public awareness of the vulnerability of marine ecosystems Allow whale populations to recover by protecting their feeding and breeding grounds
46
IWC: Successes of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
Covers most of the Southern Ocean Non-lethal research means less whales need to be killed in the future Raises public awareness Protects feeding and breeding grounds Finds other economic uses for whales- gives ex-whalers a job
47
IWC: Failures of the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary
Hasn't stopped Japan as doesn't protect against scientific whaling Doesn't protect whales outside the protection area Difficult to monitor such a large area Only protects areas that are important now which may change with climate change, leaving whales unprotected
48
Why have NGO's like SCAR and ASOC been set up?
Do the work governments can't/ won't do | Don't have an agenda
49
Purpose of Scientific Committee on Antarctica Research
In charge of initiation, promotion, and co-ordination of research on Antarctica Provide independent scientific advice to inform the Antarctic Treaty System
50
ASOC: Why was the Antarctica and Southern Ocean Coalition set up? When was it set up?
Created so NGO's could have a greater influence on governments at the world stage 1978
51
ASOC: Examples of NGOs involved
Over 30, including: WWF Greenpeace Friends of the Earth
52
ASOC: What does their work mainly focus on?
Environmental protection Monitors environmental change Ensures legislation is being kept to
53
ASOC: What 3 main campaigns is it currently focusing on?
Sustainable management of Southern Ocean Fisheries Establishing a network of marine reserves, including Marine Protected Area status for the Ross Sea Negotiating a legally binding Polar Code covering all vessels operating in the Southern Ocean
54
ASOC: Successes
Only NGO working full time to preserve Antarctica and the Southern Ocean Powerful as it consists of over 30 NGOs Helps raise public awareness about threats to Antarctica and encourages government involvement
55
ASOC: Failures
Difficult to monitor the whole of the large area they protect Work on a lot of projects- don't focus all of their energy in one place
56
ASOC: Why are they so interested in protecting the Ross Sea?
Important for the diverse ecosystem present | 50% of Ross Sea killer whales
57
What percentage of freshwater does Antarctica store?
70%
58
What are some of the 'rules' of the Antarctic Treaty?
Only peaceful reasons- no army bases/ weapons Cooperation on scientific research- avoids unnecessary scientific research Should remain as a global commons- countries cannot make individual claims Doesn't apply to seas... overexploitation likely
59
Which organisations make up the Antarctic Treaty System?
International Whaling Commission | United Nations Environment Programme
60
United Nations Environment Programme Key Points
Reports activity in Antarctica to UN Aims to stop illegal fishing and converse ecosystem- protected areas Limited by countries i.e. Russia
61
Piece of legislation protecting Minerals
1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctica Treaty
62
1991 Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctica Treaty key points
``` Banned all mining Rules on.... Regulating waste disposal Preventing pollution Protecting plants and animals- environmental impact assessment required before new activities conducted ```
63
Why is it difficult to prevent the damage caused?
Most damage not caused in Antarctica | i.e. Pollution or ghg's

Geography- Global Systems and Governance (8 decks)

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