Cold Environments Flashcards
what is a cold environment?
Cold environments are areas that experience very low temperatures for long periods of time.
4 development opportunities in cold environments
mineral extraction
energy
fishing
tourism
challenges associated with development in cold environments
extreme temperatures
inaccessibility
construction
lack of infrastructure
why should wilderness areas be protected?
- Fragile environments and take time to recover from damage
- scientists need to conduct research on change (climate change) on unspoilt environments
- indigenous people occupy some areas of tundra and their culture depends on the natural world
- provide habitats for range on species of animals and birds
- moral responsibility to retain wilderness areas to protect their biodiversity
permafrost
permafrost is hard, permanently frozen ground. it is hard and impenetrable, preventing soil formation and acts as a barrier to water transfer
compare polar and tundra
both polar and tundra experience cold temperatures, however, polar environments experience extreme cold and permanent darkness during winter months. whereas tundra environments experience cold winters, though the conditions are less harsh, enabling life to thrive, particularly in summer.
Polar climate
Tundra climate
winter: below -50 in polar
low precipitation
less extreme in tundra
winter temp may drop below -20
brief potentially warm summers
can be high levels of precipitation
polar plants
tundra plants
some plants found on fringes of ice: mosses, lichens
low growing, flowering plants: bearberry, arctic moss, tufted saxifrage
low bushes and small trees may grow in warmer regions
polar soils
tundra soils
permanently covered by ice so frozen (permafrost)
permafrost but melt closer to surface in summer
infertile
water draining removes nutrients
waterlogged - water trapped by permafrost
polar animals
tundra animals
polar bears, penguins
more food options and less extreme climate so more species
plant adaptations
grow close to the ground - reduce damage by wind
small leaves - smaller surface area means can conserve water
shallow root systems - allows plant to grow in the active layer of soil, not the permafrost beneath
grow in close proximity to one another - each plant acts as a barrier for others.
stem, buds and leaves are covered in hairs - creates layer of insulation for protection against cold
can photosynthesis even in cold weather - allows plant to store energy despite the lack of sunlight for large parts
ability to survive on bare rock (lichen) survival of species where soil does not exist.
animal adaptations
small surface area to volume ratio - less heat loss
white translucent fur - allows camouflage, easier to catch prey
large dimpled feet - easier grip, spreads weight
acute sense of smell - smell prey hiding under ice or far away
layers of thick fat and fur - protection against cold, source of fuel for hibernation. metabolism of fat: water source
oil-based fur - water particles bead off, reduce chance of water freezing on animal
closable nostrils - prevents water entering when swimming.
(commercial) fishing
around 150 species of fish in svalbard
70% of all atlantic cod sold in global supermarkets is from the barents sea
waters are important breeding and nursery grounds for fish stock and needs to be protected from pollution
coal mining
adv: main economic activity, more than 300 people are employed in the mines and as support staff
dis: some jobs lost due to industry decline due to lower coal prices, burning coal is a major source of greenhouse gases
tourism
popular with tourists for wildlife, scenery and Northern lights
tourists bring and spend money
provides around 300 jobs for local people
harbour at longyearben has been increased to cope with the increase in cruise ships
