assess the significance of threats

Question 1

Climate change - tundra

Answer 1

It will cause extensive melting of ice which is dangerous for species who rely on the ice. Marine life will be threatened because of the affect on marine food webs. The species at the bottom (phytoplankton) are dependent on ice-edge processes which will affect the whole web.

Question 2

Why is Climate change a key threat?

Answer 2

Because, for example, shipping (which causes pollution) only happens in the summer months due to sea ice in the winter. As climate change increases which decreases sea ice then there is the potential for year-round shipping which will cause extensive pollution.

Question 3

Over-exploitation - boreal

Answer 3

Industrial developments for the extraction of oil and gas has led to the exploitation of raw materials from the area

Question 4

Over-exploitation - tundra

Answer 4

Also increase exploitation of minerals and fossil fuels…

Question 5

Climate and over-exploitation..

Answer 5

Climate change very much influences how much fish can be exploited from the arctic oceans - in the future increased fishing may become viable in areas which are currently covered by sea ice, as climate change is causing sea ice to melt.

Question 6

Pollution - influenced by over-exploitation and climate change

Answer 6

influenced by how much O-E is occurring and whether climate change is increasing shipping which causes pollution.

Question 7

Climate change - the Taiga

Answer 7

altered negatively as habitats will be destroyed and animals wont be able to adapt. Canada’s boreal is home to 300 bird species and 85 different types of mammal. CC will also cause tree lines to move north which could affect the species in fig 2.