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Cold Environments (Threats to Antarctica (Although currently not…
Cold Environments
Threats to Antarctica
Although currently not economically viable, the pursuit of mineral deposits in Antarctica becomes more likely as our reserves elsewhere run out. Although the Antarctic Treaty bans all activities, including mining, this comes up for review in 2048 (so not indefinitely). Mining was banned in 1980
An ozone hole has been widening over the Antarctic for over 30 years, and chemicals produced thousands of miles away are found in the bodies of wildlife
The development of scientific infrastructure, such as bases, has a direct impact on the Antarctic because the construction of buildings and related facilities - roads, storage etc. - can be detrimental
For the very wealthy, tourism in Antarctica is becoming an attractive holiday prospect. However, foot erosion, oil spills from ships carrying passengers and and effects of lots of people on the environment make this a threat to Antarctica - in 2007, there were 37,500 tourists
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Polar
Glacial environments at the world's highest latitudes (the poles), a barren landscape with little vegetation because it is so difficult for anything to survive there. Includes most of the Antarctic, the Greenland ice sheet and the frozen Arctic
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South Pole = Antarctic
In the centre of Antarctica, precipitation is very low - less than 50mm a year - and there is little evaporation. Only the peninsula has areas of tundra.
Threats to the Tundra
Alaska is the primary state for the production of oil in the USA, especially during the 1970s -80s. However, in recent years reserves have begun to run out and new areas of Alaska are going to be exploited for oil.
In Prudhoe Bay, north-west of Old Crow, there is high-value oil...
However, the indigenous people the Vuntut Gwitchin have a lifestyle that would be severely disrupted by drilling. There are 7000 of them, of which 300 live at Old Crow. They eat a lot of Caribou which is a sustainable source of food because the population is relatively high and fine to hunt. However, drilling would harm the Caribou and thus the lifestyle of the Vuntut Gwitchen because it is their main source of food. Old Crow is adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the area is also a nature reserve.
Tundra
Cold environment not permanently covered by snow and ice, but with constant presence of a permafrost (frozen ground). There is a short growing season during with the uppermost section of the soil begins to thaw out, allowing the growth of some vegetation.
Mountain Ranges
High mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, Alps, Andies and Rockies experience cold temperatures and have characteristics of both the Polar and Tundra areas. Known as alpine areas
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