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Human Geography: Global Governance + Systems > Case Study: Antarctica > Flashcards

Case Study: Antarctica Flashcards

1
Q

What does Antarctica store?

A

60% of the worlds fresh water

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2
Q

How does the continent change in winter?

A

It doubles in size

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3
Q

When was Antarctica discovered?

A

By 1821, by sealers

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4
Q

When was the heroic exploration of Antarctica?

A

1895-1922

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5
Q

What is an ice sheet?

A

Results from small inputs of snow and frost (exceeding ablation rates) over a very long time

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6
Q

What is ablation?

A

The opposite of accumulation, refers to all processes that remove snow, ice and water from the glacier or snowfield

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7
Q

What is a nunataks?

A

An exposed, rock element of a ridge, mountain or peak not covered by snow or ice within or at the edge of an ice field or glacier.
Also known as GLACIAL ISLANDS

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8
Q

What is the Antarctic convergence zone?

A

A natural boundary separating 2 distinct hydrological regions/ areas of distinct climate

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9
Q

Why do Antarctic waters freeze at such low temperatures?

A

Because they are so salty

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10
Q

What happens at the Antarctic convergence zone?

A

Warm surface water and cold Antarctic water meet

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11
Q

What is global thermohaline circulation?

A

When water moves along gradients

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12
Q

How does water have a tendency to move?

A

From warm to colder areas

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13
Q

How much of the land is ice free?

A

Less that 5%

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14
Q

what do mean winters range from?

A

-9 to -68 degrees C

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15
Q

What are claims of Antarctica land founded on?

A
  • Discovery and explorations of areas
  • Proximity to Antarctica
  • Seeking control of natural resources
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16
Q

When was the Antarctica Treaty created?

A

1959

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17
Q

How many countries have now signed the treaty?

A

46

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18
Q

What are the main intentions of the treaty?

A

-Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only
-Antarctica should be a site of scientific investigation
-No nation would be obligated to surrender its claim, and no new claim could be made

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19
Q

What does the environmental protocol of the treaty state?

A
  • Commits the parties to comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment
  • Designated Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science
  • Bans all commercial mineral resource activity
  • Requires assessment of impacts of any activities
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20
Q

when will the environment protocol be revised?

A

2048

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21
Q

How many environmental NGOs work in coalition to protect Antarctica?

A

Over 1000

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22
Q

What 4 human activities threaten Antarctica?

A
  • Scientific research
  • Mineral exploitation
  • Fisheries + whaling
  • Tourism
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23
Q

How many permanent scientific bases exist on Antarctica?

A

40

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24
Q

How can scientific research threaten the environment?

A

In 1989, an Argentine ship ran around and released 25,000 gallons of fuel into the sea. Similar events have occurred at Russians and US bases

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25
Where have coal seams been discovered?
Along coastline and in the mountains
26
Why has activity at coal seams so far been deterred?
It isn't commercially viable, but may be needed for future demand
27
Where has a great potential for oil?
The Weddel and Ross seas, on the continental shelf
28
How many barrels of oil are estimated to be in the Weddel and Ross seas?
50 billion
29
What is the only large scale exploitation in Antarctica?
Fishing
30
What are the impacts of fishing in Antarctica?
- Over-fishing of target species - Effects on species that depend on target species - Killing of other species accidentally caught - Destruction of habitat by equipment
31
what is the biggest species of concern in Antarctic fisheries?
Krill
32
Why are krill such an important species?
they feed on phytoplankton, and are then eaten by a wide range of species
33
what has declined due to the over fishing of krill?
the decline in some penguin
34
Why is krill being fished?
It is used to feed salmon farms and their enzymes have pharmaceutical uses
35
What is CCAMLR?
Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
36
What do CCAMLR do?
Control the commercial fisheries in the Southern Ocean, taking into account the species being fished and their prey and predator species. They monitor all fishing in the region
37
What must all vessels in the CCAMLR region participate in?
Monitoring systems to report krill catches
38
Why are pharmaceutical companies interest in Antarctic species?
For their anti-freeze protein in their blood, and for how fish slow their heartbeat to save energy in cold environments
39
Who banned whaling in the Antarctic?
the International Whaling Commission
40
What is the limit of viability?
The amount of meltwater an ice shelf can take before it begins to weaken and retreat
41
What area does the Antarctic Treaty apply to?
60 degrees south
42
What does the Treaty apply to?
the seas
43
When was the Whaling Moratorium introduced?
1982
44
How were whales previously hunted?
Using harpoons and specialist whaling boats
45
What did Greenpeace do for Antarctic whales?
they launched an anti-whaling campaign shortly after the organisation formed, and Greenpeace ships began confronting whaling fleets
46
Which countries ignore the moratorium?
Japan Iceland Norway
47
How many whales does Japan hunt each year for "research"?
300
48
How much money can 1 whale make?
$1 million
49
When was the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary set up?
1994
50
Who set up the Southern Ocean Whale sanctuary
The International Whaling Commission
51
What is the aim of the whale sanctuary?
To benefit the long term conservation of whales
52
How does the whale sanctuary benefit whales?
By facilitating recovery of depleted whale populations by protecting important areas
53
How does the whale sanctuary benefit surrounding nations economically?
Provides economic benefits to range of states by providing opportunities to develop non-lethal economic use of ecotourism and whale watching
54
How has scientific whaling changed over the years?
It has increased
55
What is the Madrid Protocol?
The protocol on environmental protection for the Antarctic treaty, protects natural reserves
56
How successful has the Madrid protocol been?
Mining is prohibited and minerals are protected, so the environment is preserved, and toxic chemical are prohibited from being discharges into the sea
57
Why is the Madrid protocol needed?
To provide comprehensive protection for the environment after Russian bases were dumping waste
58
How many parties have agreed to the Madrid Protocol?
34, with a further 11 signed but not ratified
59
What is the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals?
A convention for promoting and achieving the protection, scientific study and rational use of seals
60
When did the seal convention come into place?
1978 After seals were killed by clubbing for their pelts, young seals wanted
61
What has happened since the seal convention came into place?
Seal populations have recovered, proof that's CCAS is a successful international agreement
62
why is the seal convention needed?
To recognise that the stocks of Antarctic seals are an important living resource and should not be exploited and depleated
63
How many parties have agreed to the seal convention?
17
64
What is the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources?
An international convention with the objectives of conserving Antarctic marine life, in response to increasing commercial interest in krill
65
When was the Conservation of Marine Living resources brought in?
1982 The same year as the whaling ban
66
How successful has CCAMLR been?
seabird mortality has been reduced, protected areas have been established, vulnerable ecosystems managed and challenges of illegal fishing addressed
67
Why was CCAMLR set up?
Because there was increasing commercial interest in krill
68
Who enforces CCAMLR?
All vessels are monitored and the policy is implemented by all 25 countries
69
What is ASOC?
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
70
Who does ASOC represent?
Brings together more than 30 groups so has a wide scope, includes WWF and Wildlife Organisations
71
Why was ASOC set up?
A US lawyer exposed a secret minerals framework for Antarctica
72
What categories are ASOC's current works split into?
- Environmental - Protection - Wildlife Conservation - Antarctic - Governance
73
How does ASOC plan to tackle Antarctic climate change issues?
Through public advocacy, promoting adaptation strategies, and climate science
74
What do ASOC seek in terms of protection?
the highest possible level of environmental protection for the Antarctic region and for all wildlife
75
Which area do ASOC want to be protected?
The Ross Sea and areas for species such as Minkle whales and krill
76
How important is ASOC's work in the Ross Sea?
It is striving for it to be a Marine Protected Area and maintaining its diversity and abundant marine life. Almost untouched as it was thousands of years ago, preserved

Human Geography: Global Governance + Systems (1 decks)

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