Svalbard

Question 1

Opportunities for development

Answer 1

• one of main is fishing - Barents sea is one of the richest fishing grounds in the world. Creates a lot of jobs.
• Tourism brings in a lot of money. Creates around 300 jobs for local people
• Rich reserves of coal. Coal mining is one of the main activities in Svalbard + over 300 ppl are employed in mines as support staff.

Question 2

Challenges to development

Answer 2

• Enlarging harbours and constructing buildings for tourism is difficult due to permafrost and extreme cold.. Most construction work can only happen in summer
• Tourist boats can leak oil into sea + visitors can damage tundra plants which may take years to grow back

Question 3

Why are cold environments fragile?

Answer 3

they can easily be damaged by human activity. Tundra vegetation takes a very long time to become established and it’s a very delicate ecosystem that can easily be disturbed. Tundra is a fragile environment an can take a very long time to recover from damage from human activity.

Question 4

How can cold environments be damaged by economic development?

Answer 4

Extracting oil and gas can damage cold environments because:

• Roads have to be constructed through forests and across the tundra and supply bases built.
• Housing for hundreds of workers needs to built
• An oil spill. The damage to rivers and other natural ecosystems resulting from oil spills is long lasting.

Question 5

Why do cold environments need protecting?

Answer 5

• Indigenous ppl like the INUIT rely on wildlife for survival by hunting and fishing.
• These unspoilt environments provide the opportunity for research on climate change.
• Cold environments are habitats to many types of wildlife (e.g. penguins, polar bears) and many species of tundra vegetation
• Tourists are attracted because of the beautiful landscape and the potential for adventure activities. This brings in lots of money to countries like Norway and Alaska.

Question 6

Managing cold environments - oil from the ground is very hot which could melt the permafrost

Answer 6

Solution - The pipeline is raised and insulated to retain heat and prevent it melting the permafrost.

Question 7

Managing cold environments - Possible cracks caused by earthquakes can cause leaks

Answer 7

The pipeline is supported and can slide if earthquakes happen. The flow of oil stops automatically if there is a leak.

Question 8

Managing cold environments- the pipeline crosses rivers and mountains such as the Brookes ranges

Answer 8

Solution - Pumping stations keep the oil moving. The pipeline passes beneath rivers to minimise the impact on the landscape.