The living world Flashcards
opportunities in Alaska for energy
oil and gas is over half states income
opportunities in Alaska for Mineral resources
$154 million worth of gold exported 2015
opportunities in Alaska for fishing
2016 fishing industry worth $1.7 billion employed 30,000 fishermen
Challenges in Alaska-Inaccessibility
Ice roads-dangerous
Air travel-expensive
small ,scattered population-far from jobs and services
opportunities in Alaska for tourism
2 million tourists bring $2.5 billion each year which generates jobs for 39,000
Challenges in Alaska-extreme temperatures
extreme cold is dangerous, Daylight hours vary a lot
Challenges in Alaska-buildings and infrastructure
- frozen ground and extreme temp-makes construction expensive
- construction only happens in summer
international agreements- Alaska
1959 Antarctica treaty -tourism controlled to protect the fragile ecosystem:
- visitors limited to 100 per site
-peaceful non military activities
role of governments-Alaska
Laws can prevent development in wilderness areas-reduced conflict over land use
using technology-Alaska
modern construction methods minimise environmental impacts-> gravel beds help stop heated buildings from melting permafrost
conservation groups-Alaska
Pressure governments to protect cold environments -> more sustainable development.
biodiversity
the variety of organisms living in a particular area.
interdependence in tropical rainforests
plants/animals die–> warm/wet climate =fast decomposition–>surface soil high in nutrients –> plants grow easily–>animals eat plants for nutrients
plant adaptations (tropical rain forest)
shrub layer(smallest)
under canopy
main canopy
emergent trees (largest)
nutrient cycle
animals eat plants–>plants and animals decompose–>plants absorb nutrients from soil
