cold enviroments Flashcards
what are the two type of environments found in cold climates
tundra and polar
what is the average winter temp of polar climates
tend to drop below -40 and can reach -90
what is the temperature like in tundra climates
summers can reach up to 10 while winters can plunge to -20
what is the precipitation like in polar and tundra climates
low
- less than 100mm in polar areas
- less than 380 mm in tundra
what are the season like in polar and tundra environments
they are defined
- cold summers even colder winters
what plantation like in polar environments and what are some examples of plants
polar enviroments have few plants
lichens and mosses that grow on rock
grass grows on the coast
whats re some examples of plants in tundra areas
- hardy shrubs - bearberry
- lichen + mosses, grasses
- small short trees may grow in warmer areas
what is the soil like in polar environments
ice sheets cover the ground so no soil is exposed
what is the soil like in tundra enviroments
thin,acidic and not very fertile
- beneath soil is a layer of permafrost
what does permafrost hold
trapped greenhouse gases
what is human population like in polar enviroments
uninhabited - some scientists + indigenous residents
what is human population like in tundra environments
- home to many indigenous people
- oil + gas workers in larger towns
what is animal diversity like in tundra and polar environments
there are relatively few species in these ecosystems
what are examples of animals in polar enviroments
- polar bear
- penguin
- whales + seals
what are example of animals in tundra environments
- lemmings
- wolves
- reindeer
what does biotic mean
living
e.g plants,animals,people
what does abiotic mean
non-living
e.g climate,soils,permafrost
what does it mean when we say an enviroment is interdependent
many of the biotic and abiotic components of the environment is dependant on each other
what is an example of how an cold environment is interdependant
- summer tundra areas have greater plant cover
- plants absorb heat from sun preventing permafrost from thawing
- the permafrost provides water to the plants
what is an example of one change in a ecosystem than will have knock on effect on the whole ecosystem
- humans trample plants
- soil exposed to sunlight
- permafrost thaw
- prevents plant growth
- animals cant eat plants + struggle to survive
what do plants in tundra environments have to adapt to.
- cold + strong winds
- dry winter conditions
- boggy summer conditions when top layer of soil thaws
how have plants adapted to survive the cold dark winters
- 5 things
- dormant in winter
- low growing + round shaped - protection from wind
- shallow roots - permafrost beneath soil
- small leaves to limit moisture lost through transpiration
- summer is short so plants have a short growing season
what does dormant mean
inactive
how are polar bears adapted to cold environments
- thick fur to retain heat
- black nose and paws to absorb sunlight
reduces amount of energy needed to keep warm
what are some adaptations of animals in cold environments
- migration
- hibernation
- camouflage - with snow to sneak up of prey
how can low biodiversity affect a ecosystem
if one species changes then it will affect the population of a dependent species.
e.g lemming population decreases will affect the population of their predator
where is svalbard
in norway
how many people live in Svalbard
2700
what are Svalbard opportunities for development
- extracting minerals
- fishing
- tourism
- energy developments
how is tourism an opportunity for Svalbard
- tourism provides jobs for local people
- natural wildlife
- northen lights
- harbour of longyearbyen has been enlarged to cope with cruise ships
what is the main island most residents live on in svalbard
spitzbergen
what is the main town in svalbard
longyearbyen
how is fishing an opportunity for development in svalbard
- one of the richest fishing grounds in the world
- 150 species of fish
how is mineral extraction a opportunity for development in svalbard
- rich coal reserves
- main economic activity
- provides jobs
what is the sea called in Svalbard where fishing is
Barents sea
what is the most likely future energy source for Svalbard
geothermal energy
why is mining on svalbard a controversial issue
environmentalists groups are against it as burning coal is a major source of green house gases however mining is vital to the economy of svalbard
what are the challenges for development in svalbard
- extreme temperatures
- inaccessibility
- buildings and infrastructure
why does Svalbard extreme temperatures pose as a problem for development
- longyearbyen tem drops below -30 in winter
- extreme temps make it dangerous to work outside - frostbite
- the amount of clothes people have to wear makes work difficult and slow
how is inaccesibility a problem for development in svalbard
- road system in svalbard in limited
- Svalbard can only be reached by air or sea
- most people travel by snowmobile
why does building and infrastructure pose as a problem for development in svalbard
- warmth from buildings could make permafrost melt
- this would cause the buildings to collapse - buildings have to be carefully designed
- water pipes have to be heated so water doesn’t freeze + raised above the ground - permafrost
plants in cold environments grow ______ and decompose _______
slowly
slowly
what are wildness areas
areas that are undeveloped,uninhabited and undisturbed
what makes up a large part of cold enviroments
wildness areas
why should we conserve wildness areas
- provides habitats
- scientists can study environments that are not effected by people
- this helps scientists replicate these ecosystems which can help preserve rare species
why are cold environments fragile and take a long time to recover
- plant growth is slow so if plants are damaged by vehicles it takes a long time to re grow
-species are specialised so it takes a while to adapt and change E.g polar bears hunt on ice - ice caps melting polar bears cant adapt.
what strategies can be used to balance economic development with conservation in cold environments
- the role of the government
- international agreements
- technology
- conservation groups
how does the role of the government balance economic development with conservation in cold environments
- unregulated development can damage environment e.g mining pollutes water
- gov can pass laws to protect designated wilderness areas - development has to take place elsewhere
how can international agreements balance economic development with conservation in cold environments
- 1959 antarctic treaty stops people from harming the fragile ecosystem by limiting visitors and ensures non-military actives
how does using technology balance economic development with conservation in cold environments
- heated buildings can melt permafrost - buildings collapse + pipes crack
- modern construction to minimise impacts e,g buildings on gravel beds.
how do conservation groups balance economic development with conservation in cold environments
- pressure government to protect cold environments - leads to sustainable development
- WWF + green peace
What Act, passed in 1964, designated large wilderness areas and protected them from development?
wilderness act
how is geothermal energy a develop opportunity
Svalbard is over a plate boundary to geothermal energy is easily accessible
