The protection of Antartica

Question 1

What is adaptation?

Answer 1

Any alteration or adjustment in the structure or function of an organism or system which enables it to survive better in changing environmental conditions

Question 2

What is mitigation?

Answer 2

Includes any actions, strategies, measures or projects undertaken to offset the known detrimental impacts of a process

Question 3

What is resilience?

Answer 3

The amount of disturbance that an ecosystem can withstand without changing existing structures and processes

Question 4

What components are changing too quickly for species to adapt in Antartica?

Answer 4

Increasing sea temperatures
Ocean acidification
Expanding sea ice cover in some areas
Loss of sea ice and land ice cover in other areas
Higher intensities of ultraviolet radiation

Question 5

What are the four threats to Antartica?

Answer 5

Climate change
Fishing and whaling
Search for mineral resources
Tourism and scientific research

Question 6

How is climate change a threat to Antartica?

Answer 6

Temp in the southern ocean to the west of Antartica have increased
Sea ice in east is increasing
Oceanic acidification

Question 7

What impacts is an increase in temp in the southern ocean having on the west of Antartica?

Answer 7

Changed distribution of penguin colonies
Decline in Antarctic Krill
Retreat of glaciers and ice shelves fringing the peninsula

Question 8

Why is East Antartica experiencing an increase in sea ice?

Answer 8

Increased westerly winds around the Southern Ocean driving seas northwards
More rain and snow resulting from climate chance layering the southern ocean with cooler, denser air
Greater melting of continental land ice creating more floating icebergs which contribute to sea ice formation

Question 9

Why is Antartica experiencing oceanic acidification?

Answer 9

CO2 in the atmosphere creates carbonic acid, which makes the ocean less alkaline. The loss of carbonate ions lead to waters becoming corrosive to unprotected shells and the loss of these organisms will disrupt food webs

Question 10

What happened in 1985?

Answer 10

Globally most whaling stopped due to the action of the International Whaling Commission

Question 11

What happened in 1994?

Answer 11

The IWC established the Southern Ocean Whaling Sanctuary, which banned commercial whaling

Question 12

Who opposed the southern ocean whaling sanctuary agreement?

Answer 12

Japan, Norway and Iceland

Question 13

What has replaced whaling in the area?

Answer 13

Fishing

Question 14

What fish in particular has been over-fished?

Answer 14

Krill

Question 15

What are krill?

Answer 15

Tiny shrimp-like crustaceans which swim in massive numbers

Question 16

Why are Krill so important?

Answer 16

Krill underpin the entire food chain in Antartica

Question 17

Why are Krill being fished?

Answer 17

As a health protein food in East Asia and a health food supplement in the form of krill oil all over the world

Question 18

Why are Krill so good for you?

Answer 18

They are an excellent source of protein and krill oil

Extremely rich in omega-3 fatty acids

Question 19

What has a sudden recent demand for krill products caused?

Answer 19

A dramatic increase in krill fishing in the Southern Ocean

Question 20

Why is the search for mineral resources a threat to Antartica?

Answer 20

Mining is banned by the Antarctic Treaty. Demand for resources puts pressure on the mineral resources on the continent, which include gold, silver, lead and zinc

Question 21

What are the concerns of tourism and scientific research on Antartica?

Answer 21

Summer tourists coincide with peak wildlife and breeding

There is evidence of the over-flying causing to breeding colonies

Question 22

What types of tourism does Antartica experience?

Answer 22

Camping trips, ship-boarding sites, over-flights

Question 23

What research shows that tourism doesn’t affect Antartica?

Answer 23

Well-run industry
Rules are accepted by operators
Damage to vegetation is from natural causes
No litter is from tourists
No stress is caused to penguins from tourists

Question 24

Out of 200 landing sites, how many show any wear and tear in Antartica?

Answer 24

5%

Question 25

What is the Antarctic treaty system?

Answer 25

The main remedy for the international governance of Antartica

Question 26

Why did nations agree to the ATS?

Answer 26

Avoid disagreements and conflict
Resolve disputes over ownership and mining rights
Establish guidelines to limit development on the continent

Question 27

Who signed the ATS?

Answer 27

12 nations

Question 28

What is the purpose of the Madrid Protocol 1991?

Answer 28

To give additional protection to Antartica, especially against mineral exploitation

Question 29

Who are the three main players involved in mitigating and protecting Antartica?

Answer 29

Antarctic Treaty System
The Madrid Protocol 1991
International Whaling Commission

Question 30

What is the purpose of The Madrid Protocol 1991?

Answer 30

Give additional protection to Antartica, especially against mineral exploitation

Question 31

What is the main thing the Madrid Protocol 1991 prohibits?

Answer 31

Mining exploration

Question 32

What does The Madrid Protocol 1991 assess?

Answer 32

All activities and their environmental impacts

Question 33

What is the IWC?

Answer 33

A global body responsible for the conservation of whales and the management of whaling

Question 34

What is the main duty of the IWC?

Answer 34

Keep under review the measures laid down by the Whaling convention

Question 35

What are the measures laid down by the Whaling Convention which the IWC need to keep under review?

Answer 35

Complete protection of certain whale species
Established limits on the numbers and size of whales which can be taken
No capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves