Cold environments

Question 1

Plant adaptations

Answer 1

• Shallow root systems
• Low-growing cushions of plants to retain moisture and provide shelter to winds
• Thick stunted stems (bearberry plant) two withstand winds
• Mosses can cope with water logged conditions
• Rapid life cycles (snow buttercup), flower and seed during short summers

Question 2

Animal adaptations

Answer 2

• Thick fur (arctic foxes and hares)
• White for camouflage
• Can survive on a variety of foods, which helps with cold winters when food is scarce
• Musk oxen - two layres of fur, wide hooves so they can walk on snow or waterlogged ground

Question 3

Factors affecting biodiversity

Answer 3

• Climate change - longer/warmer summers and less extreme conditions increase biodiversity as plants and animals thrive
• Melting permafrost releases CO2 into atmosphere
• Extraction of oil may cause pollution and upset fragile ecosystem
• Warmer waters may decrease nutrients affecting fish

Question 4

Opportunities in cold environments: mineral extraction

Answer 4

• Rich resource base
• In 1800s there was a ‘gold rush’
• Gold accounts for 20% of alaska’s mineral wealth
• Rich in silver, zinc and lead

Question 5

Opportunities in cold environments: energy

Answer 5

• Vast oil and gas reserves
• The industry employs 100,000 people and accounts for a third of the states income
• Oil is transported 1300 km from Prudhoe Bay in the north to the port of Valdez in the south by the trans-Alaskan pipeline
• Has more than 50 hydro-electric power plants

Question 6

Opportunities in cold environments: fishing

Answer 6

• Water are rich in fish including salmon and trout
• Nearly 80,000 people are employed in this industry - multiplier effect
• Worth $6 billion dollars annually
• Provides indigenous people with food, oil and item of clothing (bones)

Question 7

Opportunities in cold environments: tourism

Answer 7

• Spectacular wilderness environments - mountains, glaciers and national parks
• Attracts up to 2 million tourists per year
• One of Alaska’s main employers
• Cruises account for 60% of summer visitors
• Adventure tourism is a major growth area

Question 8

Challanges in cold environments: extreme temperature

Answer 8

• Winter temperatures can drop below -30ºC
• Hostile working conditions
• Sea freezes and road conditons become treacherous

Question 9

Challanges in cold environments: inaccessibility

Answer 9

• Very remote area
• Mostly accessible by plane or ship
• Road transport is difficult
• Individuals rely on 4 x 4 vehicles or snowmobiles in winter

Question 10

Challanges in cold environments: buildings and infrastructure

Answer 10

• Permafrost and cold weather - difficult to build infrastructure
• Roads have to be constructed on raised gravel beds to prevent melting of permafrost
• Utilidors, above ground insulated pipes tor transfer water
• Airport runways are painted white to reflect sunlight and to prevent them from heatin up