EQ 4

Question 1

The biosphere: animal migration

Answer 1

Migration is important component of Arctic ecology. Many bird species including ducks and geese fly north in spring to breed in the winter.

Overall, species health depends on these migrations

Question 2

The water cycle: ice stores

Answer 2

Water is stored in glacial ice and gradually released as meltwater, both into oceans and rivers.

Important component of hydrological cycle

In some locations, such as Himalaya, summer meltwater from glaciers is critical component in human water supply

Question 3

The global refrigeration

Answer 3

High albedo of Artic sea ice, snow cover and glaciers ice reflects 85-90% incoming solar energy back to space

significant cooling effect on planet

Question 4

Carbon Cycle: the artic

Answer 4

wetlands, peat lands and lakes cover up to 70% of Artic

these ecosystems important carbon sink and protecting permafrost