Selected Habitat: Antarctica Flashcards
What is Antarctica?
The only polar ice mass with extreme and fluctuating abiotic conditions
How large is Antarctica?
60 times the size of the UK
What is the ice cover and extent?
Covers 98% of the surface
Ice can be up to 5 km deep
What is the average temperature in Antarctica?
-49C
What is the precipitation levels in Antarctica?
Low precipitation with snow mainly falling at the coast
Earths largest desert
What is the average altitude like in Antarctica?
High
Is there are terrestrial species or permanent human inhabitants?
Little terrestrial life and no permanent human population
Where is most life present in Antarctica?
Marine life in the surrounding sea
Why are there high levels of marine nutrients? ( Antarctica)
They are brought up from the seabed by upwelling currents
What are the seasonal variations like in Antarctica?
Large variations in ice cover as changes in temperature cause ice to freeze or melt
What are light levels like in summer and winter in Antarctica?
24-hour daylight in the summer
24-hour darkness in the winter
What are some species found in Antarctica?
Adelie penguins
Elephant seals
Krill
Chinstrap penguin
Albatross
What is warmer the land or the sea in Antarctica?
The sea with average temperatures between -1.8 to +3.5C
What % of earths fresh water is frozen on Antarctica?
70%
What is the positive of Antarctica being a long term storage of water?
It has kept global sea temperatures relatively low
Why is ice important in regulating temperatures?
Ice has a high albedo so if ice cover is reduced then temperatures will rise
How do krill sequester carbon?
Carbon is present in algae which are eaten by krill, this sinks to the seabed in the krill faeces
What are the harvested biological resources form Antarctica?
Krill and three fish species
What process is currently banned in Antarctica?
Mineral extraction
What minerals are present in Antarctica?
Gold, silver, nickel, titanium, uranium, coal, oil and other resources
Why is Antarctica so good for scientific research?
As its the mot isolated place with little human influence
Why is Antarctica a good place for astronomical research?
Little pollution interference: light, infra-red or radio waves
Little cloud cover to block observations
Why is Antarctica a good place for climate research?
Due to its stable and predictable climate
Why is Antarctica a good place for ecological research?
Due to its unique wildlife
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?
No
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?
5m
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
