Fragility of cold environments

Question 1

Fragile

Answer 1

• Needs to be handled with care
• Easily broken or damaged
• Can’t be mended or repaired

Question 2

Fragility of cold environments

Answer 2

• Fragile

- Edge of survival - slightest change can have significant effects

Question 3

Why do cold environments have significant effects?

Answer 3

• Slow ecosystem developments and highly specialised habitats
• Sensitive to change
• Once damaged - take a long time or never recover

Question 4

Slow ecosystem developments and highly specialised habitats

Answer 4

• Plants/animals are adapted to lack of daylight and harsh climate conditions
• Ecosystems are surprisingly diverse but take a very long time to become established.

Question 5

Sensitive to change

Answer 5

• Scientists are extremely concerned about the possible consequences of climate change in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions as plants/animals have adapted to particular enrvironments.

Question 6

What is causing the habitats to change?

Answer 6

• Human activity = intensive agriculture, deforestation and urbanisation
• Natural events