Case Studies

Question 1

Antartica:
Give 2 abiotic characteristics of Antartica.

Answer 1

Temperature = -10 to -30 c
Light = darkness for 6 months, light for 6 months

Question 2

Antartica:
(Biotic characteristics) Give examples of vegetation and endemic species

Answer 2

Vegetation = Moses, algae, lichen
Endemic species = emperor penguin, leopard seal, abbots booby

Question 3

Antartica:
Give conservation level of 2 animals found in Antartica

Answer 3

Blue whale = critically endangered
Emperor penguin = near threatened

Question 4

Antartica:
Give 2 products that can come from Antartica

Answer 4

Fresh water
Mineral resources (oil, coal)

Question 5

Antartica:
How much of the earths freshwater is in Antartica’s ice sheets?

Answer 5

70%

Question 6

Antartica:
Antartica has massive ice sheets, how does this act as a life support system?

Answer 6

Regulates global sea levels
Regulates global temperatures

Question 7

Antartica:
Give 3 things that give “potential” to Antartica?

Answer 7

Reveal more climate data
Discover new life forms
New mineral discoveries

Question 8

Antartica:
Give 3 direct threats to this habitat

Answer 8

Mineral extraction = habitat destruction and pollution
Tourism = increased pollution
Construction of human settlements = alter animal habitats

Question 9

Antartica:
Give 3 indirect threats to this habitat

Answer 9

Increased co2 in atmosphere = ocean acidification, harms marine ecosystems
Global warming = melting ice, loss of habitat
Introduced animals = can out compete native species

Question 10

Antartica:
Give a massive result of threats to this habitat

Answer 10

Loss of keystone species could lead to the collapse of large ecosystems in Antartica

Question 11

Antartica:
Give 2 local conservation efforts

Answer 11

Limiting water usage - showers washing etc
Enforcing proper waste removal

Question 12

Antartica:
Give an international conservation effort

Answer 12

Antartica treaty 1959 = prohibits mineral extraction, everything requires an environmental impact assessment

Question 13

Antartica:
Give a success story of the conservation of Antartica

Answer 13

Whale populations have increased since the reduction of whaling