Global systems Antarctica Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the Antarctic convergence zone?

A

Warm water meets cold water causing upwelling of nutrients

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2
Q

How does the Antarctic convergence zone lead to higher primary productivity?

A

Upwelling of nutrients - increased photosynthesis - higher primary productivity

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3
Q

What is the Antarctic circumpolar current?

A

Surface current which flows eastward around Antarctica and blocks warmer waters travelling south

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4
Q

What is isostatic depression?

A

Sinking of crust into the asthenosphere due to heavy weight of glacial ice

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5
Q

What is the precipitation in Antarctica?

A

Low - less than 50mm per year (snow desert)

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6
Q

What are katabatic winds?

A

Strong downhill flowing winds

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7
Q

What is the temperature in Antarctica?

A

Low (average -49C)

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8
Q

Give 3 ways tourism has a negative effect on Antarctica

A
  • breeding sites disturbed
  • some sources of waste (slow decomposition)
  • pollution
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9
Q

What has contributed to pollution in Antarctica?

A
  • MV Explorer sinking and oil spills (Chilian)

- Mount Erebus Air Crash

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10
Q

What ways has tourism helped Antarctica?

A
  • raise awareness of need for conservation
  • 95% of landing sites are not damaged
  • research suggests seals and penguins not affected
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11
Q

Give 4 ways climate change poses a threat to Antarctica

A
  • acidification (damage sea snails and plankton) so effects food web
  • sea level rise (3mm since 1990)
  • changing distribution of penguins (emperor down, chinstrap up)
  • declining krill (80% since 1970s)
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12
Q

Give 2 ways whaling poses a threat to Antarctica?

A
  • Whales 275, 000 prior to 19th century > 2000 1964

- Whaling has slowed due to IWC/IWM but does still continue

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13
Q

Give 2 ways fishing poses a threat to Antarctica?

A
  • long-line fishing, Patagonian toothfish endangered

- depletion of Krill

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14
Q

Give 3 reasons why mineral research may pose more risk in the future

A
  • increase population > increase demand
  • technological advances
  • melting sea ice increasing accessibility
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15
Q

What is the International convention for the regulation of Whaling (IWC)?

A
  • Complete protection of certain whale species
  • Designated Southern ocean as whale sanctuaries
  • Limits on numbers and size of whales
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16
Q

What is the International Whaling Moratorium (IWM)?

A

Ban on commercial whaling

17
Q

Give 2 positives of the IWM

A
  • Decreased levels of whaling (allowed recovery from extinction)
  • Increased the social and political costs of whaling
18
Q

Give 2 negatives of the IWM

A
  • Can object (Russia objected)

- Loophole of scientific whaling exploited (Japan, 100 per year before tsunami)

19
Q

What is the Antarctic treaty system?

A
  • Should be used for peaceful purposes;
  • Should cooperate on/share scientific research;
  • Remain a global common
20
Q

GIve 2 positives of the Antarctic treaty system

A
  • Set aside territorial claims

- Successful disarmament regime

21
Q

GIve 3 negatives of the Antarctic treaty system

A
  • Freezes territorial claims but doesn’t negate them
  • Bio-prospecting
  • Growing superpowers ignore agreed regulations
22
Q

What is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition?

A

Group of 30 NGOs

23
Q

Give 3 strengths of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

A
  • Campaigned to make Antarctic Treaty meetings more transparent
  • Monitor environmental changes
  • Ensuring the success of international agreements
24
Q

Give 2 negatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition

A
  • Cannot make a direct impact

- More difficult to gain international governments attention

25
Q

What is the Protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty

A

Nature reserve, all activities must have an environmental impact assessment; bans mining

26
Q

Give 2 positives of the Protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty

A
  • Protects the global common for damage

- Prevents the tragedy of commons - mining

27
Q

Give 2 negatives of the Protocol on Environmental protection to the Antarctic Treaty

A
  • Ban on mining prohibition in 2048 could be overturned (if 75% of parties agree)
  • Environmental audits are mainly of bases onland and not those in maritime areas
28
Q

What is the Convention on the Regulation of Antarctic Mineral Resources?

A

An agreement to manage the exploitation and development of Antarctica’s non-renewable resources - did not pass

29
Q

What is the International Association of Tour Operators?

A

Self-regulates tourism in Antarctica through guidelines

30
Q

What are the International Association of Tour Operators guidelines?

A
  • Limite numbers of visitors taken ashore
  • Encourage conservation talks
  • Prohibits leaving waste
31
Q

What is the United Nations Environment Programme?

A

UN agency governings the world’s environment reports Antarctic activity to the UN

32
Q

Give a positive of the United Nations Environment Programme

A

Discuss questions of Antarctica on a global scale

33
Q

Give 2 negatives of the United Nations Environment Programme

A
  • Relies on voluntary donations

- Part of the general assembly so lacks decision making

34
Q

What are International laws?

A

Legally binding rules established through international agreements

35
Q

What are International norms?

A

Accepted standards of behaviour

36
Q

What are International institutions?

A

Political and legal organisations that pass laws/discuss issues/disputes on an international scale e.g. UN and WTO

37
Q

Give 5 environmental impacts of increasing interdependence and globalisation?

A
  • Outsourcing, less environmental standards
  • Pressure on finite resources
  • More waste (from packaging)
  • Invasive species
  • Increase transport (greenhouse effect)
38
Q

Give 2 positive social impacts of globalisation

A
  • Access to foreign culture

- Increased awareness of global events

39
Q

Give 2 negative social impacts of globalisation

A
  • Loss of cultural diversity

- Spread of propaganda