Antarctica CS Flashcards
(24 cards)
Describe 3 characteristics of Antarctica’s climate
Less than 166mm of precipitation a year
Average temp of -49c
Coldest and driest continent on earth
How much ice is there in Antarctica
Contains 90% of all ice on earth
Stores 70% of all earths freshwater
Describe the flora and fauna of Antarctica
Very few plants can survive, mainly mosses and lichens
Ecosystems are very fragile and take a long time to recover
What are the 4 main threats to Antarctica
Climate change
Fishing and whaling
Mineral extraction
Tourism/research
How has the climate changed in Antarctica
Past 5 decades areas along the coast have warmed by 3c
Fastest temperature rise in the world
How has climate change affected Antarctica’s ice shelves
Ice shelves around the Weddell and Ross sea to melt
How have penguins been affected by climate change
Adelie penguins have declined
Chinstrap penguins have increased in population
How has climate change affected arctic krill
Declined by 80% since the 1970s
What threats does overfishing pose
Threatens many species, mainly arctic krill
Reduced fish and krill population have knock on effects on the food chain
What minerals does Antarctica provide
Large deposits of coal and oil
How is mineral extraction being monitored
Mining is currently banned
Conditions of Antarctica would make it very difficult to mine
How is tourism posing a threat
Increases pollution
Can disturb breeding colonies
Damage the landscape
Contamination
How does scientific research pose a threat
Requires lots of facilities, including roads, bases and fuel stores. until the 1980s, a lot of waste created was either burned, thrown into the sea or dumped.
Who runs the UNEP
The commission for conservation of marine life
Aims to stop illegal fishing
What is the international whaling commission
An organisation responsible for regulating whaling and ensuring a sustainable whale population
What has the IWC done to help
Set up a whale sanctuary in 1994 in the southern ocean
What issues does the IWC face
Not properly monitoring the number of whales in the sanctuary
Members can freely choose to leave
Countries find loopholes around rules
What is the Antarctic treaty
Written in 1959 and signed by 53 countries
What are the rules of the Antarctic treaty
Should only be used for peaceful reasons
Countries should cooperate on scientific research
Should remain as a global common
What did the 1991 protocol do
Banned all mining
Created rules to protect plants and animals
Regulate waste disposal
What is the role of NGOs in Antarctica
Monitor threats and protect the environment
Monitor the effects of climate change
Speak about what countries are doing wrong
What 4 activities do Greenpeace want to prohibit
Mineral and oil exploitation
Military and Nuclear activities
Disposal of radioactive waste
Killing and interfering with organisms
What issues does the Arctic treaty face
Not a mandatory treaty
Not enough frequent inspections
What are ASOCs main focuses
Overall environmental protection in antarctica
Monitoring and extending marine protected areas
wildlife and krill conservation
Antarctic Governance
