Unit 1: Conservation Abroad - Antarctica
- Created by: rosieevie
- Created on: 27-04-14 19:15
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- Antarctica
- Ecological Features
- 98% covered by ice and snow
- Average temperature of -49 Celsius
- Earth's biggest desert
- Few terrestrial organisms are present
- Upwellings of nutrient rich water supports rich wood web based on krill and phytoplankton
- Species include fish. penguins, seals and squid
- Sea is warmer than land -1.8-3.5 Celsius
- Importance
- Ice regulates sea levels by storing water
- High albedo of ice reduces heating of atmosphere
- Phytoplankton is a carbon sink - controls global warming
- Threats
- Global climate change - ice melting leads to iceberg formation which can starve krill that rely on the algae on the underside of the ice
- Ozone depletion - marine plankton sensitive to UV light
- Increasing numbers of tourists disturb wildlife, cause waste disposal and may spread diseases to animals
- Overfishing krill and fish threatens species that rely on them
- Pressure to exploit minerals will increase with depletion elsewhere
- Scientific reasearch - fuel spills, waste disposal and buildings threaten the habitat and ecosystem
- Conservation Methods: Antarctic Treaty - 1959
- Land may only be used for peacful purposes
- Free exchange of scientific information
- Nuclear explosions and radioactive waste disposal banned
- Commercial mineral exploitation banned
- Conservation of organisms of priority
- Environmental impact of tourism monitored
- Ecological Features
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