Antarctica and Southern Ocean

Question 1

Antarctic convergence

Answer 1

A curve that continuously encircles Antarctica where the northward cold waters meet the other relatively warm waters

Question 2

Polar desert

Answer 2

Areas with less than 250mm of precipitation annually and average of <10^C.

Question 3

Nunataks

Answer 3

Small areas of rock that emerge above ice sheets, they are often mountain peaks

Question 4

Phytoplankton

Answer 4

Self-feeding, mostly microspocip, single-celled photosynthetic organisms that live suspended in water

Question 5

IWC

Answer 5

International whaling commission. Established in 1946, the aim was to conserve whale stocks and regulate the whaling industry. By 1985, most whaling had ended.

Question 6

Southern ocean whale sanctuary

Answer 6

An area of 50 million km^2 surrounding Antarctica where all types of commercial whaling is banned. Japan continues to whale for ‘scientific purposes’

Question 7

Krill

Answer 7

Tiny crustaceans which underpin the Southern Ocean food web.

Question 8

Adaptaion

Answer 8

Any adjustment or function of an organism that allows it to survive better in an environment

Question 9

ASOC

Answer 9

Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition. NGO formed in 1978 which ushes for the creation of marine protected areas and reserves

Question 10

ATS

Answer 10

Antarctic Treaty System. The Antarctic Treaty was signed in 1952 by 12 countries and was over time built upon to make the ATS. The main points are that Antarctica must only be used for peace and science. There are now 52 parties and it will run out in 2048

Question 11

Mitigation

Answer 11

Any action that offsets the detrimental effects of a process

Question 12

Ecological resilience

Answer 12

The amount of disturbance that something can withstand without being damaged

Question 13

SCAR

Answer 13

Scientific committee on Antarctic Research. Initiates, develops and co-ordinates international scientific research in the Antarctic region and on Antarctica’s role on Earth