Paper 1 Cold Environments Flashcards
describe an area in a tundra biome
-less extreme winter
-thawing of permafrost in spring/ summer
-higher biodiversity
-low growing shrubs
-arctic hares/ foxes
-infertile soil-frozen and waterlogged
describe the soil in a cold environment
-ice sheets cover ground
-not fertile
-permafrost traps greenhouse gases
are ecosystems in cold environments dependent?
yes they are very dependent on each other
describe how plants grow in cold environments
-grow slower and decompose slower when they die as the soil is also low in nutrients
-herbivores rely on plants growing so they migrate to areas with plants in winters, carnivores follow them.
do cold environments have a high or low biodiversity?
LOW BIODIVERSITY
-few animal and plant species
describe plant adaptations in cold environments
-low growing to avoid wind
-shallow and wide roots to get as many nutrients as possible
-thick bark and small hairs to trap heat
-become dormant
-short growing season (50-60 days)
example of plant adapted to cold environments
bearberry has:
-bright red berries to attract birds and insects
-low growing to avoid wind
-shallow roots
-thick bark
-small hairs
describe animal adaptations in cold environments
-hibernation in winter to conserve energy
-migration
-white winter coats
-insulating skin and fat
-large paws to balance weight on surface, absorbing energy
example of animal adapted to cold environments
polar bear and arctic fox
-camouflage with white fur in winter
-thick fur and blubber fat for insulation
-black skin absorbs heat
-large paws- spreads out weight
-good smell
what is our cold environment case study?
svalbard
where is Svalbard?
-arctic ocean
-norweigan territory
what is the northern most town in the world?
Longyearbyen
-polar climate
-long polar night- 4 months of darkness
-2700 people live their
-more polar bears than people.
name the 4 main challenges of living in a cold environment
-tourism
-mining
-fishing
-geothermal energy
describe how permafrost is a challenge in cold environments?
-less accessibility around the area
-makes building infrastructure hard
-transport is challenging- use snowmobiles
-pipes can easily freeze- raised to prevent this
describe how the cold climate is a challenge in cold environments?
-clothes have to be designed to keep people warm
-underfloor heating systems
how is inaccessibility a challenge in cold environments?
-one 50km road around the country
-small airport
how to having polar bears create challenges in cold environments?
-have to carry guns with them for protection
-guides have to be trained to handle them.
why is mining a challenge for cold environments?
-it is not a renewable resource meaning it is finite
-affects local environment and can cause local avalanches
why is tourism a challenge for cold environments?
-destroys natural beauty as ecosystems are fragile
-impacts local community and landscape
why is fishing a challenge for cold environments?
-overfishing is a problem
-extinction of species
-trophic cascade can occur which changes an ecosystem and its food chains
-quotas need to be put in place to regulate how many fish can be caught at a time
why is geothermal energy a challenge for cold environments?
-takes up space
-visual pollution
-better compared to coal
-less disadvantages as it is renewable and a natural process
how can mining create opportunities for Svalbard?
-mineral extracting
-creates jobs with 300 people currently employed
-boosts economic activity
how can tourism create opportunities for Svalbard?
-awareness of wildlife
-snow mobiles
-northern lights are popular
-70,000 people a year arrive by boats
how can geothermal energy create opportunities for Svalbard?
-on a constructive plate boundary, forms oceanic ridge
-lots of volcanic activity
