Extreme Climates Flashcards
Define Polar or Hot arid
Polar - glacial (ice), Tundra (frozen soils)
Hot arid - deserts (no rain/ less than 250mm par year), dry lands (250-500mm rain par year, semi-dry)
What is an extreme climate?
A region where it is extremely cold (polar) or extremely hot and dry (hot arid)
What is a temperate climate?
A climate that is Not extreme
What is carrying capacity?
Max no. Of people that can be supported by resources/technology of an area
What is flora and fauna?
Flora - plants
Fauna - animals
How have people adapted energy use to living in extreme climates?
Polar - high energy use, geothermal energy from underground
Hot arid - solar panels, traditionally low energy use, high energy use in MEDCs (fans, air-conditioning)
How have people adapted transport to deal with living in extreme climates?
Polar - toboggan, travel in pairs in case if breakdown, change tires, insulated blankets under bonnet, vehicles kept in covered garage
Hot arid - before - camels, today - powerful off-road vehicles
How have people adapted farming methods to living in extreme climates?
Polar - short growing season, hunting and fishing, today import food
Hot arid - nomadic farmers, farm close to water sources, Demi-loons
How have people adapted clothing to living in extreme climates?
Polar - thick coats, fur - reindeer, layers, wool, no skin exposed, avoid damp clothing next to skin, synthetic material
Hot arid - loose fitting, often while, head scarves (kufiyas), originally woven from sheep or goat wool
How have people adapted buildings to living in extreme climates?
Polar - thick walls, tight/compact, triple glazed windows, steep roofs, underfloor heating, kitchen in centre, rubber seals on doors, dark colour paint, garages, insulation
Hot arid - flat roof, small windows, white walls, air conditioning
What is Inuit?
Name given for native people spreading across Canada, Alaska, Russia and Scandinavia
Name 3 things part of the Inuit Native culture.
Yup’ik masks - carved masks used to tell stories
Inupiat art - totem poles
Whaling ceremony - freshly cutting whale meat
What was the hottest temperature recorded in hot arid climate?
And what was the coldest temperature recorded in polar?
Hot arid - 58 degrees Celsius
Polar - -89 degrees Celsius
How have flora and fauna adapted to hot arid climates?
Flora - grass with extensive root systems, Acacia trees store water, plants immediately grow bright leaves to attract insects
Fauna - only tough scorpions and reptiles survive, insects can collect moisture from the air
How have flora and fauna adapted for polar climates?
Flora - small tough alpine plants grow on exposed rock surfaces, plants survive strong winds by growing close to ground in cracks
Fauna - snowy owls and snowshoe rabbits have fur and feathers - camouflage, Caribou deer have fur and large hooves - soggy ground
How have human actions threatened polar extreme climates?
Pollution - sulphur particles from factories cause drought by affecting cloud formation patterns
Land degradation - over grazing from civil war, desertification
Cultural dilution - colonised by European powers
How have human actions threatened got arid extreme climates?
Pollution - broken pipeline spilled 200,000 gallons oil, 5000 sea otters killed
Land degradation - permafrost damaged from global warming
Cultural dilution - originally 20 native languages, dying out as young adopt European languages
Why are extreme climates under threat?
Global warming - temp rising, changes in rainfall, sea levels rising
Populations increasing - land uses change, political problems like war, ecosystems
What is the Antarctic treaty?
An international agreement which restricts commercial exploitation of the Antarctic continent
Why is the loss of polar regions more urgent than the loss of arid regions?
More risks of flooding, endangered species becoming extinct and landslides crushing homes
