Threats to Antarctica - Case Study Flashcards
(19 cards)
What are four threats to Antarctica?
Fishing and Whaling.
Climate Change.
Tourism.
Exploitation of mineral sources.
What percentage of feed for the worlds whales does the Southern Ocean provide?
80%.
What caused whaling to become popular in the Southern Ocean?
As whale populations steeply declined in the North Atlantic due to mass exploitation.
In what decade was whaling no longer comercially viable?
1960s.
What percentage had global whale populations declined by the 1960s?
90%.
What did the IWC do regarding commercial whaling in 1986?
They placed a temporary prohibition on commercial whaling.
What three nations continue to commerically whale now?
Japan, Norway and Iceland.
Once whaling died down in the 1960s, what did fishermen turn to?
Fishing for krill.
What are krill?
Small, shrimp-like crustaceans which swim in masses, a key dependant for nearly all species in the Antarctic.
What is krill most commonly farmed for?
Krill oil.
Why is krill oil a desired good?
High in protein.
Contains omega 3 which lowers triglycerides in the blood which decreases the risk of heart problems.
How much are krill oil capsules generally sold for?
Up to £40 for 100 capsules.
How can overfishing in the Southern Ocean impact marine habitats?
Ships and fishing gear could cause direct destruction to the habitats.
How can overfishing in the Southern Ocean impact pollution?
Ships dump waste into the water, such as plastic, which can kill marine species and contaminate waters.
How many degrees has the average air temperature in Antarctic Penninsular increased in the past 50 years?
Nearly 3°c.
How has climate change in Antarctica impacted the physical and living environment?
Distribution of penguin colonies has changed.
Melting of snow and ice has changed colonisation by plants.
Decline in the abundance of krill.
Glaciers and shelves have retracted.
