Selected Habitat: Antarctica Flashcards by Study Sets

What is Antarctica?

The only polar ice mass with extreme and fluctuating abiotic conditions

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How large is Antarctica?

60 times the size of the UK

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What is the ice cover and extent?

Covers 98% of the surface
Ice can be up to 5 km deep

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What is the average temperature in Antarctica?

-49C

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What is the precipitation levels in Antarctica?

Low precipitation with snow mainly falling at the coast
Earths largest desert

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What is the average altitude like in Antarctica?

High

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Is there are terrestrial species or permanent human inhabitants?

Little terrestrial life and no permanent human population

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Where is most life present in Antarctica?

Marine life in the surrounding sea

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Why are there high levels of marine nutrients? ( Antarctica)

They are brought up from the seabed by upwelling currents

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What are the seasonal variations like in Antarctica?

Large variations in ice cover as changes in temperature cause ice to freeze or melt

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What are light levels like in summer and winter in Antarctica?

24-hour daylight in the summer
24-hour darkness in the winter

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What are some species found in Antarctica?

Adelie penguins
Elephant seals
Krill
Chinstrap penguin
Albatross

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What is warmer the land or the sea in Antarctica?

The sea with average temperatures between -1.8 to +3.5C

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What % of earths fresh water is frozen on Antarctica?

70%

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What is the positive of Antarctica being a long term storage of water?

It has kept global sea temperatures relatively low

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Why is ice important in regulating temperatures?

Ice has a high albedo so if ice cover is reduced then temperatures will rise

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How do krill sequester carbon?

Carbon is present in algae which are eaten by krill, this sinks to the seabed in the krill faeces

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What are the harvested biological resources form Antarctica?

Krill and three fish species

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What process is currently banned in Antarctica?

Mineral extraction

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What minerals are present in Antarctica?

Gold, silver, nickel, titanium, uranium, coal, oil and other resources

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Why is Antarctica so good for scientific research?

As its the mot isolated place with little human influence

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Why is Antarctica a good place for astronomical research?

Little pollution interference: light, infra-red or radio waves
Little cloud cover to block observations

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Why is Antarctica a good place for climate research?

Due to its stable and predictable climate

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Why is Antarctica a good place for ecological research?

Due to its unique wildlife

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How will increased temperature affect Antarctica?

Melting wouldn’t be too bad due to extreme cold but remaining ice will be significantly affected

How could the non-melted ice be affected by ice melting

Glacial lubrication Sealevel rise cause Ice shelves to lift Causing more iceberg calving

What is happening to the area sea ice that forms each winter

Despite the rising temperatures of air and see it shows an upward trend

What do they think is causing an increase in ice extent?

Stronger winds may be spreading the ice further Warmer air can hold more water vapour which may cause more snow to fall, this increased precipitation may freeze to form ice Ice on land melts and creates a fresh water layer that freezes more readily

What might the long term trend for sea ice be?

A reduction in the extent of sea ice

What is the mean thickness of land ice on Antarctica?

1800m

What does having thick land ice mean in Antarctica?

There will be no significant reduction in the area of land ice if melting increases

How thick is the average sea ice?

1-2m thick

What is significant about the thinness of sea ice?

Warming could cause a reduction in sea ice this would reduce albedo and thus increase temperature

Has ozone depletion affected species that live on land in Antarctica?

Has had little impact because there are few organisms and those that are present have thick fur or feathers

What species in Antarctica do suffer from ozone depletion?

Planktonic organisms in surface water are more vulnerable to raised UV levels

What are some examples of planktonic organisms?

Algae Krill Larvae of fish and sea urchins

How could unregulated tourism threaten Antarctica?

Could threaten Antarctic wildlife through disturbance and the introduction of non-indigenous species and pathogens from humans

What types of pollution could increase in the Antarctic if tourism is unregulated?

Fuel Sewage Wastes

How do most people visit Antarctica?

By ship

How is the wider impacts of tourism reduced on Antarctica?

Only a small number of landing sites which reduces the wider impacts but increase the dangers for these sites

How do processes associated with scientific research affect Antarctica?

The actual research causes little damage but increases the risk of pollution and wildlife disturbance

How has overfishing affected Antarctica?

Has lead to dramatically reduced marine populations

What is an example of how overfishing can affect populations in Antarctica?

Long lining for toothfish also threaten albatross as they can be caught on the hooks and drown

Why will mining most likely need to take place in Antarctica?

Most likely as reserves elsewhere are depleted

When was the Antarctic treaty signed?

1959

What is the Antarctic treaty of 1959?

Set up to protect Antarctica

How many people have signed the Antarctic treaty?

52 countries

Who regulates fishing in Antarctica?

Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLS)

What populations of marine life in the Antarctic is currently exploited?

Krill and some fish species but fisheries are closed if populations become over-exploited

Are any mammal species allowed to be exploited commercially in Antarctica?

Why isn’t there any holiday accommodation on land in Antarctica?

So wastes are kept on tourist cruise ships

How may cruise ships and visitors are allowed at one landing site in Antarctica?

1 ship and 100 people

Who has to accompany tourist me when on land?

Trained guides

Have far do tourist have to stay away from wildlife in Antarctica?

What must tourist do with their litter in Antarctica?

Make sure none is left

How do they stop the introduction of pathogens in Antarctica?

By wearing protective clothing that is cleaned before another site is visited

How is waste managed on Antarctica?

Waste is controlled and removing it

Who are the only long term residents allowed on Antarctica?

Research scientists and support staff

What sort of waste materials are produced in Antarctica?

Fuel containers Batteries Toxic wastes Plastics Used lubricating oil

Where is sewage discharged into the sea in Antarctica?

Where currents will disperse and dilute it so microbes in the sea can break it down

Is military activity allowed in Antarctica?

None unless it supports scientific research no nuclear explosions or dumping of nuclear waste is allowed