Cold Environments Flashcards
What is a cold environment?
Areas that experience temperatures of 0 degrees or below for long periods of time
Where are cold environments located?
The most Northern and Southern parts of the planet
What are the differences between Polar and Tundra environments?
Polar:
-Extreme northerly or southerly location
-No permanent human activity
-Surface of ground is permanently frozen
-Limited vegetation, very fragile ecosystem
-Average temp of -12 to -6
Tundra:
-Some human activity present
-more prevalent in Northerly latitudes
-Many more animals like Caribou, Arctic foxes, Snow geese and Polar Bears
How is an arctic fox adapted to a cold environment?
-Round compact bodies less SA to volume ratio
-deep thick fur
-This fur on paws, lets them wals on snow and eyes
-muzzle, ears, and legs are short- less exposed to the cold air
How is a Polar bear adapted to a cold environment?
-Skin is thick and Black for warmth
-2 eyelids
-Short tail
-Strong neck and leg muscles to swim
-Nostrils close when swimming
-Blubber layer for warmth
-Paws have large SA to balance on snow- also have fur on paws
How are Bearberry plants adapted to cold environments?
-Low growing 5-10cm, can survive strong winds
-Thick bark for extra stability
-Small leathery leaves with small SA to retain water
-Bright berries which birds eat and seeds distributed through their excrament
How is Arctic Moss adapted to its cold environment?
-Lots of leaves and no flowers for lots of photosynthesis
-very short and never have woody stems to protect from strong winds
-Tiny leaves
When was oil discovered at Prudhoe Bay?
1969
Where is Prudhoe Bay?
North coast of Alaska
How has the Trans-Alaskan pipeline been set up to prevent leaks?
It has a one way valve system
How is the TAP been set up to prevent heat from escaping the pipes?
The pipes are insulated
How have they prevented the TAP from melting the permafrost?
They have elevated the pipeline above ground
How have they prevented The TAP from being affected by Earthquakes?
The elevated pipeline is on ski shoes
How is elevating the pipes beneficial to animals?
Doesn’t prevent animal migration
Why does the TAP need to prepare for earthquakes?
It crosses a tectonic fault line
What does the National Environmental policy act ensure in Alaska?
-Ensures companies involved in the extraction of oil need to protect the environment
-and recognizes the rights of the native people
How long is the TAP?
800 miles long form North to South
How long did the TAP take to build?
3 years
How much money did it take to build the TAP?
$8 billion dollars
How many gallons of oil are transported by the TAP per minute?
35,000
Where is Svalbard?
It is a norwegian territory in the Arctic ocean
What is the approximate population of Svalbard?
2700
What percentage of Svalbard is covered in ice?
60%
What are some opportunities coal mining in Svalbard?
-more than 300 employed
-Improves Svalbard’s economy
-main economic activity
When was a new coal mine constructed near Svea?
2014
What are some threats from the coal mining industry in Svalbard?
-Global warming
-as more renewables are used there is a loss of jobs
-Opposed by environmentalists
-coal becoming unpopular
-Road needed to be built over glacier
What are some opportunities in the energy industry in Svalbard?
-Job opportunity
-Geo-thermal energy most likely future resource
-Svalbard is energy self sufficient
-Close to Mid-Atlantic ridge so can harness Geothermal energy
What are the threats of the energy industry?
-expensive to set up
-Coal is becoming unpopular due to the use of renewables
What are some opportunities in the fishing industry?
-The Barents sea is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world
-Jobs
-estimated 150 species of fish
-Fishing is controlled and monitored by Norway and Russia
What are some threats of the fishing industry in Svalbard?
-Overfishing
-independent ecosystem is fragile
-Impacts food chain
-illegal fishing
In 2011 how many tourists visited Longyearben ?
70,000
How many of the 70,000 tourists were cruise passengers?
30,000
What are some threats of tourism?
-seasonal
-damage to fragile ecosystem
-lack of resources
-noise pollution
-disturbs breeding grounds
