Svalbard Flashcards
where are polar and tundra regions located?
At or just below poles, northern and souther hemispheres. polar=antarctica, arctic, tundra=parts of asia and North america
what is the climate like in polar and tundra regions
polar=normally below freezing, winters at -40 to -90 degrees celcius.
tundra= cold. warm months only 10 degrees max, winters of -50 degrees. low rainfall (100mm annually in polar, 380mm annually for tundra) well defined seasons
what is the soil like in polar and tundra regions
polar=soil covered in ice sheets, no soil exposed.
tundra= thin soil, acidic, not very fertile. permafrost hold trapped ghg (animals and plants decompose slowly when they die, soils low in nutrients)
what are the plants like in polar and tundra regions
polar=few plants, moss and lichens on rocks, grass on coast
tundra= bearberry, grasses, shrubs, mosses, lichens, small short trees
what are the people like in polar and tundra regions
polar=uninhabited. arctic has indigenous people, antarctica has research scientists.
tundra=indigenous people, oil and gas workers in larger towns
what are the animals like in polar and tundra regions
polar= polar bears, penguins, whales, seals
tundra= lemmings, wolves, reindeer
How are plants adapted to cold environments
-hairy stems(insulation, retain heat)
-low growing and rounded (shield from wind)
-grow in groups
-leathery leaves (retain water and protect from sun)
-thick bark and stems (stability)
-shallow roots
-small leaves (limits amount of water lost from transpiration)
-shorter growing seasons (reproduce with bulbs/underground runners)
-can survive on bare rock (dont need soil)
-red berries (eaten by birds=seed distribution)
-become dormant (survive long winters)
How are animals adapted to cold environments
-thick fur/blubber (reduces amount of energy needed needed to keep warm. hairs hollow to trap heat)
-hibernation (conserve energy, arctic ground squirrels 7-8 months)
-migration (to warmer areas)
-white coats (camouflage, helps prey and predatoras)
-wide paws (balance and stability)
-claws and teeth (hunting and digging)
-black noses/paws (absorb heat)
where is svalbard located?
northern hemisphere, near arctic cirle line of latitude. neighbouring countries are finland in south east, greenland to west, canada north west and russia north east. in arctic ocean
why protect wilderness areas?
-habitats for species
-scientists can study natural environments unaffected by people
-indigenous people live there
-global moral responsibility
-scientists can replicate areas
-fragile ecosystems= plant growth slow, species’ very specialised, hard to adapt and change
what is the population in svalbard?
2530, 2300 living in longyearbyen
give some facts about svalbard
october-march have no sun
more snowmobiles than residents
freezing for 8 months
glaciers, polar bears, reindeer
northern lights and midnight sun
60% covered by glaciers
How is fishing an opportunity in svalbard?
barents sea one of richest fishing grounds in world (uk fish comes from here), 150+ species of fish eg haddock, herring, cod. commetncial fishing controlled by norway and russia to prevent overfishing. norways most valuable export
How is mineral extraction an opportunity in svalbard?
employs 300+ people in coal mining, largest employer, exploited for income. 35% of coal used in power station used all over svalbard. running out and price of coal has fallen
How is tourism an opportunity in svalbard?
70,000 people visited in 2011, 30,000 by cruise, 300 jobs for locals. floating pier built. northern lights, adventure tourism eg kayacking, safari, hiking. ships can cause traffic.
How is energy development an opportunity in svalbard?
geothermal energy-close to mid atlantic ridge. licences recently granted allowing drilling for new oil supplies-angered people. want to build new hydrogen plany, doable as only 45 workers in coal mine- 10% former capacity
how are winter temperatures a challenge in svalbard?
below -30 degrees. limited light makes working outside dangerous, roads slippery
how is infrastructure a challenge in svalbard?
permafrost, roads built on raised gravel beds to reduce heat transfer and thawing of permafrost. runways painted white to reduce heat transfer from sun. buildings could crack/collapse. services above ground in insulated utilidors to minimise risk of frozen pipes thawing permafrost
how is inaccessibility a challenge in svalbard?
remote region, rely on transport from planes and ships, roads depend on crossing frozen rivers=dangerous, only 50km of road. need snowmobiles
what is a wilderness area?
a remote, unspoilt area of land that remains natural, left alone by humans, eg deserts, mountains, cold environments
how is using technology sustainable management?
modern construction methods, minimise environmental impacts such as heating buildings thawing permafrost, causing buildings to collapse and pipes to crack. helped by using gravel bedsto prevent warming of ground. pumping stations
how are international agreements sustainable management?
antarctica “last wilderness on earth” 1959 antarctic treaty. only allows peaceful use of antarctica, bans disposal of nuclear waste, limits visitors to 100 per visit . prevents cruise ships with over 500 passengers. signed by 12 nations
how are the roles of governments sustainable management?
1964 wilderness act protects wilderness areas. takes development elsewhere and protects areas from oil and gas extraction
how are conservation groups sustainable management?
wwf and greenpeace put pressure on governments to protect nature. wwf arctic programme in 1992 works with governments about issues like climate change, polar bears, shipping and oil and gas
