Cold Environments

Active layer

The surface layer of soil in periglacial environments that undergoes seasonal thawing and re-freezing

Alpine regions

Cold and mountainous regions with snowy conditions and warmer summers

Antarctic Treaty

An international agreement signed in 1959 to protect Antarctica from mining and military activity and to promote scientific research

Biodiversity

The variety of plants and animals living in a particular ecosystem

Cold environment

Regions of the Earth that experience temperatures below 0°C for long periods of time

Conservation

The protection and management of ecosystems and natural resources

Environmental fragility

The concept of an ecosystem being so sensitive to change that even small changes can have large and potentially destructive impacts

Fragile environment

An environment that is easily disturbed and difficult to restore once damaged

Glacial environment

An environment where ice remains throughout the year

Inaccessibility

The difficulty of getting to a location due to physical geography or lack of infrastructure

Interdependence

The reliance of different parts of an ecosystem on one another (e.g. plants relying on soil for nutrients)

Isotherm

A line on a map connecting points with the same temperature; the 10°C July isotherm is often used to define the Arctic

Mineral extraction

The removal of solid mineral resources from the earth such as gold; copper; or coal

Off-piste

Skiing or snowboarding on natural terrain rather than prepared slopes

Periglacial

An environment adjacent to glaciers or ice sheets characterised by freezing and thawing cycles

Permafrost

Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years

Polar environment

Extremely cold areas found within the Arctic and Antarctic circles with permanent ice cover

Subsidence

The sinking of the ground surface which can occur when permafrost melts

Tundra

A type of cold environment at high latitudes or altitudes characterized by permafrost and low-growing vegetation

Wilderness area

An area that is largely unaltered by human activity and provides a niche habitat for biodiversity