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antarctica🧊 - Coggle Diagram
antarctica🧊
threats
Mineral exploitation 🪨- Although it does not happen as it is completely banned in the Antarctic treaty and it would be very difficult. But there are many rich in minerals which may be exploited when the Madrid protocol ends in 2048. This could lead to land depletion and loss of biodiversity and would have further impacts such as air and water pollution.
Scientific research👩🔬- risk of polution from waste and interfirence with wildlife. Reaserch can lead to enviromental degrasion if not monitered properly.
tourism🚢- Due to the increase in efficient and cheaper travel there has been more tourism in antarctica. In 2009 new limits were introduced on tourism, now ships must not have more than 500 people onboard and only 100 of these can get off at one time. Tourists trample plants, disturb wildlife, drop litter etc. There are fears they would introduce none native species or diseases. Mussels were the first invasive species, thought to be transported on the bottom of a tourist ship.
Climate change😎☀️- Antarctica has seen a temperature increase of 3 degrees since the industrial revolution which is 5x the mean global rate. This has led to the decrease of sea ice in some areas. Since 1950 25,000km squared of ice shelf has been lost. Natural wildlife are at risk of loosing their habitat due to higher temperatures increasing the melting ice shelves. It also means that sea levels rise which also impacts wildlife through changes to their natural habitat. Additionally, in some areas of Antarctica the sea ice is actually increasing, this could be due to rising temperatures leading to more slow fall which accumulates on ice and builds them up. Or because ice is breaking off the main area and spreading.
sealing🦭- This was the first and most damaging activity when the Antarctic was discovered in the 18th century, within 3 years over 300,000 seals are killed. Seal fur was heavily hunted in the 18th and 19th century. One small colony remained, it is thought to be this which the current population stem from. The species is now protected by the governments who's waters it resides in and by the convention for the conservation of Antarctic seals.
whaling 🐋- Whales have been poached in Antarctica since the 1900s for oil lamp fuel, as whalers travelled in from many countries. It grew so quickly that by 1910 50% of the worlds catch was caught in the Southern Ocean. In the mid 1900s whaling slowed down as stocks were becoming seriously depleted and whaling was no longer commercially available. In 1986 the international whaling commission decided to suspend all commercial whaling.
Fishing 🐟- Fishing is the only large scale commercial harvest currently allowed in the Antarctic, having replaced whaling. Over fishing of target species can effect predator species which are dependent on them. Commercial fishing also results in the mortality of none target species caught in equipment and destruction on habitat. The Antarctic treaty aims to regulate the fishes exploitation rather than creating a full ban. There is still illegal and unregulated fishing. A catch documentation scheme has been implemented which helps prevent illegally sources fish enter the market. There is also 600,000 square miles of marine protected area in Antarctica's Ross sea which is protected from commercial fishing.
Krill 🦐- There is a growing demand of krill. Research shows that krill numbers have fallen by about 80% since the 1970s. This is bad as krill are at the bottom of the food chain which means all animals are impacted. However, also due to global warming and ocean acidification.
NGO's
None governmental organisations have a role in the protection of antarctica. The Antarctic Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) is a group of 30 NGO's from around the world formed in order to have more influence over the governments. It is comprised of a number of different well known environmental campaign groups. It was formed in response to the concern that members of the Antarctic treaty were developing a plan for mineral extraction and gas exploitation. They don't belong to an individual country so can monitor all countries and see if they are abiding by the laws, this also helps them be impartial. They closely monitor the Antarctic treaty, any changes that may be made and make sure no countries are breaching these laws. ASOC have become observers in the Antarctic treaty meetings to add transparency. They see their role as guardians, monitoring and challenging decisions. Technical advisors- their experts guide sustainable strategies. Partners- they helped establish the ross sea protection area. Visionaries- they create long term and large scale strategies.
Greenpeace in the the 1970s ran a save the whale campaign which put a spotlight on the cruel nature of hunting whales. This played a large role in implementing the ban on commercial whaling, introduced in 1986.
The Madrid protocol
this is a sub section of the Antarctic treaty. Its purpose is to give extra protection to the Environment of Antarctica, especially against mineral exploration. As there have been talks and starting phases of mineral conventions which would allow mining in the area. The Madrid protocol also braught in Environmental Audits to be carried out in all aspects of human activity on the continent.
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Physical geography
Most of Antarctica lies within the Antarctic circle. The transarctic ridge separates East and West Antarctica. Much of the continents coastline is fringed by ice shelves, the Ross and Ronnie ice shelfs being the biggest. In 2000 the southern ocean was created which encompasses Antarctica and it 1/5th of the worlds ocean. In the Antarctic convergence zone cold water absorbs carbon and sinks. This creates areas of mixing and upwelling currents which are very high in marine productivity. It also results in the largest surface current called the Antarctic circumpolar current. This current effectively blocks warmer waters. Average temps of Antarctica of -49dagrees.
Antarctic treaty 1959
Agreement to manage Antarctica sustainably signed by 54 countries, 29 of which had voting status. It guarantees free access and research rights so all countries could work together for the common cause of scientific research and exchange of ideas. It has 14 articles in it including, prohibiting nuclear explosions and disposal of radioactive waste, requires parties to give advance notice of their expeditions, Antarctica must be used for peaceful purposes etc. The treaty has been seen as overall successful.
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