Extreme Environments Flashcards
How much precipitation falls per year in a polar climate?
Less than 300mm (most falls as snow).
What are summers like in polar climates?
Short with many hours of sunlight.
Why is it so cold in polar areas?
Because of the high latitudes.
The further north the more extreme the cold.
What life is found in the coldest glacial regions?
None.
In hot arid environments what are the nights like?
Cold as there are few clouds to act as a blanket.
What is it like in a hot arid environment during the day?
Hot often temperatures are above 30 degrees
Do hot arid climates support life?
They support little plant, animal and human life.
How much precipitation is there in hot arid environments per year?
Less than 250mm.
A glacial area is an..
Ice covered area (Greenland)
A tundra area is …
A frozen soil area (Alaska)
What flora and fauna do glacial regions have?
Support little life; mostly insects, mice and arachnids.
Plants grow close to the ground to survive strong winds.
What flora and fauna do tundra regions have?
Many animals,insects and birds live in tundra areas. They have adaptations to live in the cold(thick layers of fat+fur)
Boggy conditions suit water plants like moss.
What fauna do hot arid environments support?
Animals And insects in semi-arid regions.
Animals store fat and tend to be nocturnal, e.g large ears to help dissipate heat.
What flora do hot arid regions support?
Plants store water and have root systems to reach water far underground.
Seeds stay dormant for years and produce bright flowers that attract insects during rainfall.
In hot arid environments what can climate change cause?
Extreme drought and desertification.
In polar environments what can climate change cause?
Burst lakes and solifluction.
What is solifluction
Where large areas of soil melt and move like a land slide.
What are some adaptations to the cold?
Polar environments
- triple glazing in houses
- wearing fur, wool, layers
- use of geothermal power
What are some adaptions to frozen ground ?
- houses raised up above ground
- hunting
- roads built on gravel to prevent solifluction
What is an adaption to snow?
Steep roofs to make snow fall off
What are some adaptions to heat?
- walls on buildings painted white
- thick walls and small windows
- air con
- loose fitting clothing
- wearing head coverings
What are some adaptions to the lack of water?
- flat roofs catch water
- irrigation used to grow crops
- nomadic farming so areas aren’t overgrazed.
How does pollution affect Alaska ?
Oil spills have caused environmental catastrophes in the past .
How is land degradation a threat to Alaska?
Permafrost is melting due to buildings heating up land, especially in big urban areas.
How is cultural dilution a threat to Alaska?
There is a loss of native languages and cultural traditions because of the influence of western cultures.
What impact does out-migration have on Alaska?
People are moving away due to lack of social and employment opportunities.
What impact does pollution have on the Sahel?
Air pollution from new economies may increase drought.
Why is land degradation a threat to the Sahel?
Desertification leads to a loss of vegetation and more soil erosion. It is partly caused by overgrazing.
Why is cultural dilution a probelm in the sahel?
Traditional rituals are performed to entertain tourists. Western cultures are influencing.
What is the impact of out-migration in the Sahel?
People are moving away due to the lack of opportunities.
How can intermediate technology be used in hot arid regions?
Using hand pumps to pump water from deep underground.
Water is safely stored in rain barrels for later use.
How is sustainable management used in polar regions?
- use of geothermal power
- conservation zones protecting flora and fauna
- promote ecotourism
- fish farming
- promote native cultures
What is the UN convention to combat desertification?
It is a treaty that promotes bottom up solutions to combat land degradation and poverty in arid regions.
Winters in polar climates are..
Very cold (down to -50) with few or no hours of sunlight.
