cold environments Flashcards
name the four ways to maintain a cold environment
technology, international agreements, government action and conservation groups
how does technology help maintain cold environments
provides environmentally friendly solutions
how does international agreements maintain cold environments
Antarctica has remained undeveloped since the 1959 Antarctic treaty
how do conservation groups maintain cold environments
conservation groups e.g. WWF, work with governments, communities and businesses to protect arctic biodiversity
how does action by governments help maintain cold environments
since oil was found in the USA, the US government has been protecting the environment
what is a wilderness area
a remote, un-spoilt part of the world including deserts, mountains and and cold environments. They are typically untouched and unaffected by human development.
why does tundra need to be protected
because it is fragile and recovery can take time
what is tundra
flat, treeless arctic regions
what is permafrost
permanently frozen ground sealing in large methane and co2 stores
what is infrastructure
basic equipment and structures for a location to function
what is a fragile environment
an environment that is both easily disturbed and difficult to restore
what is the climate of a cold environment
low precipitation and a temp below freezing all year round
give three characteristics of a cold environment
thin, infertile soil , low level of biodiversity , no permanent settlements
what does interdependence include
simple food webs , sustainable coexistence of people, plants and animals , plant and animal adaptations
what is included in biodiversity
thousands of species of lichens, plants and insects, considerable biodiversity, exploitation threat by humans, climate change threat
where and what is Svalbard
Svalbard is an archipelago in northern Europe, permanent population of 2700 - 2300 in Longyearbyen (capital)
give two opportunities in Svalbard
mineral resources, energy
why is energy an opportunity in Svalbard
one coal fired power station meets Svalbard’s needs - Europe’s highest carbon footprint
why are mineral resources an opportunity in Svalbard
coal mines employ over 300 people
what are two challenges that Svalbard face
buildings, infrastructure and inaccessibility
why is inaccessibility a challenge for Svalbard
they must rely on planes and boats to bring food and building material
why is building and infrastructure an issue on Svalbard
permafrost is difficult to build on, pipes are raised and insulated
what is ecotourism
travel that conserves the environment and benefits locals
define inaccessibility
a place that is very difficult to travel to/ reach
