Cold environments

Question 1

Distribution of cold environments

Answer 1

Both polar and tundra are found at high latitudes N or S of the equator
Tundra regions are found around Polar and are slightly less harsh.

Question 2

Average conditions of a cold environment/ tundra

Answer 2

total annual rainfall = 230mm
average annual temp = -10’c
seasonality = temperatures rise to 20’c in summer but -25’c in winter with most rain in summer
temp range = 50’c !

Question 3

permafrost

Answer 3

permanently frozen ground for more than 2 years

Question 4

Polar VS Tundra

Answer 4

Polar temps fall to -50 in winter
Tundra only to -20

Polar soil is permanently frozen (permafrost)
Tundra permafrost melts in summer called the active layer

Little to no plants are found in Polar and sturdier animals like polar bears
Tundra is home to many low growing plants and the Arctic Fox etc more food sources

Question 5

Flora and fauna adaptations in cold environments

Answer 5

Flora: Bearberry TUNDRA
-small leathery leaves to reduce water loss
-very low growing to limit wind exposure
-hairy stems to insulate in winter
-bright red berries to attract birds

Fauna: Polar Bears POLAR (arctic)
-thick fur and layer of fat to insulate
-black skin nose and paws to absorb heat
-white fur to camouflage and be the best hunter
-wide padded feet for easy walking on snow

Question 6

Why are cold environments so fragile?

Answer 6

Tundra vegetation takes a long time to grow and establish so is easily damaged and takes super long to regrow
Tundra vegetation is adapted to cold not global warming

Causes of Harm:
Off road vehicles:
-Iceland is open and sparsely populated so tours trash the fragile vegetation and ground nesting birds
-vehicles and tyres can melt permafrost
Resource exploitation:
-eg Alaska which Trump has vowed to “drill baby drill” and exploit oil resources
-climate change and global warming are making cold environments more accessible which is bad
Construction

Question 7

Protection and mitigation strategies in cold environments

Answer 7

Technology:
Trans Alaskan Pipeline enables oil to be safely transported from the North to the South of Alaska
-pipes are raised off ground so permafrost doesn’t melt
-pipes move side to side in earthquakes to prevent leaks
-leaks are detected quickly and all oil is stopped
-raised pipes so caibou can migrate underneath

International treaty:
Antarctic Treaty is signed by all countries with a territorial claim to antarctica
-aims to protect the last great wilderness by preventing economic development in Antarctica and controlling the disturbance from tourism.

Conservation groups:
WWF in Canada help protect arctic environments in Canada as well as monitor oil companies and manage critical ecosystems with local communities

Government Action:
Alaska, USA and the creation of the Arctic reserve of 9 million hectares of protected wilderness
these policies are now under threat due to President Trump’s pledge to “drill baby drill”

Question 8

Why should cold environments be protected?

Answer 8

biodiversity is maintained, and that individual species are not at risk of extinction.
scientists need to be able to access undisturbed environments to carry out important research.