Antarctica Flashcards
(37 cards)
Where is Antarctica located ?
South of Antarctic circle
What is the continental landmass of Antarctica surrounded by ?
Southern ocean
Give ice sheet stat
Antarctica is 98% covered in ice
Give elevation stat
Highest elevation of all continents at 2000m
Give temperature stat
Coldest continent with temperatures of -60 in Winter
Give precipitation stat
Classed as a polar desert as only receives 16cm of rain per year
What are ecosystems and productivity linked to ?
Antarctic convergence zone where cold Northward flowing Antarctic water meets warmer water from the north and creates upwelling of nutrients
Give plant life stat
Only 2 species of flowering plant grow
What does the convergence zone give rise to ?
Largest surface current in the world, the Antarctic circumpolar current
How is the continent unevenly divided ?
Divided into East and West by the Transantarctic mountains
When did Antarctica become a global common ?
In 1959 when the Antarctic treaty system was signed
What are the 4 key threats to Antarctica ?
- Climate change
- Fishing and Whaling
- Search for mineral resources
- Tourism and scientific research
Give 2 global warming stats as a threat to Antarctica
- In past 5 decades areas along the West coast have warmed by 3 degrees
- Antarctic is impacted from global warming at a rate 6 times higher than the average rate
Which species are under threat due to climate change as a threat to Antarctica
Adelie penguins
Give krill stat for climate change as a threat to Antarctica
80% decrease in krill population since the 1970s
Give 2 whaling stats as a threat to Antarctica
- Blue whale figure ins 10% of 1911 figure
- Japan killed 333 whales in 2018, 122 were pregnant
What was the law which banned commercial mining in Antarctica and when ?
Madrid Protocol 1991
Which countries and when do they want to revisit the Madrid protocol
Japan and UK in 2048
Give tourism stat ?
1990s = 5000 visitors per year
2016 = 44,000 visitors per year
Why did visitor numbers increase dramatically ?
‘Last chance tourism’
Where is tourism concentrated around ?
Short Southern Summer period which coincides with peak breeding periods
Give stat for extent of tourism damage
Of 200 landing sites surveyed only 5% showed signs of wear and tear
What do most cruises follow ?
The Lindblad plan
What are the international governmental organisations which govern Antarctica ?
- UN agencies such as the United Nations Environmental program
- International whaling commission
