Unit 1B - the living world (4. cold environments)

Question 1

what are cold environments

Answer 1

experience temperature at 0 degrees Celcius or below for long periods of time.

Question 2

what are some characteristics of polar environments

Answer 2

temperatures below -50 degrees Celcius

large areas are permanently covered by ice so soils are frozen

Question 3

how do polar bears adapt to polar environments

Answer 3

thick fur, insulating layer of fat, black nose and foot pads to absorb sunshine

Question 4

what are some characteristics of tundra environments

Answer 4

temperatures may drop to-20 degrees
low growing flowering plants
soils are frozen but in summer will melt

Question 4

what are some characteristics of tundra environments

Answer 4

temperatures may drop to-20 degrees
low growing flowering plants
soils are frozen but in summer will melt (permafrost)

Question 5

how does vegetation adapt to cold environments

Answer 5

hairy stems help to keep plants warm
thin and waxy leaves reduce water loss
low growing to protect from winds

Question 6

what is bearberries

Answer 6

plant with red berries and bright green waxy leaves

Question 7

where is Svalbard

Answer 7

artic ocean

Question 8

what is svalbards population

Answer 8

2700

Question 9

what percentage of svalbard is a polar climate

Answer 9

60 per cent is covered by glaciers and the rest is tundra

Question 10

what are the opportunities for development in Svalbard

Answer 10

mineral extraction, energy developments, fishing, tourism

Question 11

what are the challenges for development in svalbard

Answer 11

extreme temperatures, provision of buildings, infrastructure, inaccessibilty

Question 12

why are tundras fragile environments

Answer 12

any damage by human activity takes a long time to recover from any damage