Global systems Antarctica Flashcards
(39 cards)
What is the Antarctic convergence zone?
Warm water meets cold water causing upwelling of nutrients
How does the Antarctic convergence zone lead to higher primary productivity?
Upwelling of nutrients - increased photosynthesis - higher primary productivity
What is the Antarctic circumpolar current?
Surface current which flows eastward around Antarctica and blocks warmer waters travelling south
What is isostatic depression?
Sinking of crust into the asthenosphere due to heavy weight of glacial ice
What is the precipitation in Antarctica?
Low - less than 50mm per year (snow desert)
What are katabatic winds?
Strong downhill flowing winds
What is the temperature in Antarctica?
Low (average -49C)
Give 3 ways tourism has a negative effect on Antarctica
- breeding sites disturbed
- some sources of waste (slow decomposition)
- pollution
What has contributed to pollution in Antarctica?
- MV Explorer sinking and oil spills (Chilian)
- Mount Erebus Air Crash
What ways has tourism helped Antarctica?
- raise awareness of need for conservation
- 95% of landing sites are not damaged
- research suggests seals and penguins not affected
Give 4 ways climate change poses a threat to Antarctica
- acidification (damage sea snails and plankton) so effects food web
- sea level rise (3mm since 1990)
- changing distribution of penguins (emperor down, chinstrap up)
- declining krill (80% since 1970s)
Give 2 ways whaling poses a threat to Antarctica?
- Whales 275, 000 prior to 19th century > 2000 1964
- Whaling has slowed due to IWC/IWM but does still continue
Give 2 ways fishing poses a threat to Antarctica?
- long-line fishing, Patagonian toothfish endangered
- depletion of Krill
Give 3 reasons why mineral research may pose more risk in the future
- increase population > increase demand
- technological advances
- melting sea ice increasing accessibility
What is the International convention for the regulation of Whaling (IWC)?
- Complete protection of certain whale species
- Designated Southern ocean as whale sanctuaries
- Limits on numbers and size of whales
What is the International Whaling Moratorium (IWM)?
Ban on commercial whaling
Give 2 positives of the IWM
- Decreased levels of whaling (allowed recovery from extinction)
- Increased the social and political costs of whaling
Give 2 negatives of the IWM
- Can object (Russia objected)
- Loophole of scientific whaling exploited (Japan, 100 per year before tsunami)
What is the Antarctic treaty system?
- Should be used for peaceful purposes;
- Should cooperate on/share scientific research;
- Remain a global common
GIve 2 positives of the Antarctic treaty system
- Set aside territorial claims
- Successful disarmament regime
GIve 3 negatives of the Antarctic treaty system
- Freezes territorial claims but doesn’t negate them
- Bio-prospecting
- Growing superpowers ignore agreed regulations
What is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition?
Group of 30 NGOs
Give 3 strengths of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
- Campaigned to make Antarctic Treaty meetings more transparent
- Monitor environmental changes
- Ensuring the success of international agreements
Give 2 negatives of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
- Cannot make a direct impact
- More difficult to gain international governments attention
