Cold environments: Flashcards
Glacial, Polar, Periglacial and Alpine
1
Q
Characteristics of Glacial environment:
Can be found in polar and alpine settings.
A
- Areas of land which are permanently covered by ice. (ice sheets or glaciers).
- Climate = Temperatures are cold enough for ice to be present all year round. However, in summer meltwater may affect glaciers. Low snowfall in extremely cold areas e.g parts of Antarctica.
- Soil and vegetation = no exposed soil and very few plants. If any plants it will be in summer and will be moss and algae.
2
Q
What are the 4 main types of cold environment?
A
- Polar
- Glacial
- Periglacial
- Alpine
3
Q
Characteristics of a Polar environment:
Location:
66 degrees North of the Arctic circle or 66 degrees South
A
- Polar areas surround the North and South Poles and much of the Arctic polar environment is made up of the northern land areas of Asia, North America and Europe.
- Climate = extremely cold (temps never usually above 10 degrees celcius). Low precipitation and clearly defined seasons.
- Soil = permafrost beneath the soil and if the soil is exposed it is thin and nutrient poor.
- Vegetation = very little vegetation.
3
Q
Characteristics of Periglacial environments:
Location:
High latitudes and High Altitudes.
e.g Northern parts of Asia and North America
A
- Temperatures constantly below 0 but are not covered by ice.
- Climate = cold, low precipitation and clearly defined seasons
- Soil = thin, acidic and not very fertile. Normally a permafrost layer which melts in summer.
- Vegetation = very little vegetation.
4
Q
Characteristics of Alpine environments:
Location:
Found at high altitudes and any latitude.
A
- Cold areas of land at a latitude of above the tree line.
- May include glacial conditions at higher latitudes and periglacial conditions at lower latitudes.
Climate = winters cold, summers mild. Temps decrease as latitude increases.
- Soil = mainly covered but is exposed in some areas.
- Vegetation = plants can grow due to seasonally exposed soil.
