cold environments Flashcards
during which season is the soil in Alaska typically frozen?
winter
what natural resources extraction is a significant economic activity in Alaska?
oil
what is one major transport challenge faced in developing Alaska’s cold environment?
limited road access and the need for ice roads, which are seasonal
what role does permafrost play in determining vegetation types in Alaska?
restriction of root growth and drainage, which then leads to the dominance of shallow rooted plants like mosses and lichens
what is the term for the permanently frozen ground in Alaska?
permafrost
how does permafrost impact human activities like construction in Alaska?
requires specialised building techniques to prevent structure form sinking or tilting as the permafrost thaws
what renewable energy source has potential for development in Alaska?
wind power
what environmental risk is associated with oil drilling in Alaska?
oil spills that can damage fragile ecosystems
what is the usual temperature range during Alaska’s winters?
below freezing (-10 and -30’C)
what major challenge for infrastructure development in Alaska due to extreme temperatures?
the freezing and thawing cycles that cam damage roads and buildings
what adaptations do animals in Alaska have to survive extreme cold conditions?
thick fur, fat layers, hibernation, migration
what makes the provision of infrastructure particularly difficult in Alaska’s cold environment?
the harsh climate, permafrost, remoteness make construction and maintenance challenging
what is a key concern related to the loss of wilderness areas due tot the economic development in Alaska?
habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity
what industry contributes to Alaska’s economy by attracting visitors to its natural landscapes?
tourism
which groups are involved in efforts to protect Alaska’s cold environment?
conservation groups, indigenous communities and government agencies
how does permafrost influence the construction of building foundations in Alaska?
buildings must be elevated or have insulated foundations to prevent the permafrost from thawing and causing instability
how can fishing activites in Alaska’s cold envrieonment dirupt ythe marine food web?
overfishing can deplete fish populations and disrupt the marine food web
how might economic development contribute to the melting of permafrost in Alaska?
construction and industrial activities can increase ground temperatures, leading to permafrost thaw
biodiversity in Alaska’s environments is generally ____
low
how does Alaska’s remote location affect its accessibility for development?
it increases transportation costs and makes it difficult to deliver supplies and services
how do plants in Alaska adapt to survive long periods without sunglight?
they have short growing seasons, grow closer to the ground, and store nutrients
what type of environment is Alaska classified as?
tundra
where in Alaska are large oil reserves primarily located?
Prudhoe Bay
how does Alaska’s climate affect the types of plants and animals that live there?
the extreme cold and short growing seasons limit the variety of species, leading to specialized adaptations
