OCR B GEOGRAPHY- OUR NATURAL WORLD

explain how ecotourism is a form of sustainable management

provides local employment

conserves the natural employment (minimises damage to the environment as well as benefitting local people)

where are polar environments located

around 60-80 N and S of the equator

what type of vegetation is typically found in polar environments

low lying shrubs close to the ground with small leaves

what are the characteristics of weather and climate in polar regions

cool summers and cool winters

below 10 degrees and low rainfall which is below 500mm per year

explain how permafrost is independent on the climate in the polar ecosystem

an increase in climate would decrease the permafrost and increase the active layer

this would lead to the ice melting providing plants with water

explain two ways which vegetation has adapted to polar ecosystems

small leaves minimise water lost by transpiration

shallow roots to access water and to compensate for the thin layer of soil

explain two ways which animals have adapted to polar ecosystems

seals and polar bears have a thick layer of blubber under their skin to provide warmth and energy during hibernation

along with arctic foxes and reindeer their haris are hollow which allow them to trap air and provide further insulation

explain how commercial fishing impacts the arctic

decreasing populations, causing bleached corals which can damage other species found in the food chain

(patagonian toothfish has been fished near to extinction.)

these species can also be affected due to reduced fish populations

other species can be caught in fishing lines and drown

explain how commercial whaling impacts the arctic

causes whales to nearly go extinct

whales are also slow breeders taking longer to recover their decreased populations

this also blocks access to indigenous people’s source of food and traditions

identify how indigenous communities use the polar ecosystem

fishing and reindeer herding to create clothing to survive in the harsh conditions

explain how the actions of indigenous communities are more sustainable

only catch one whale at a time (relatively small scale)

no parts are wasted-meat is used as food to feed the entire community , skin is used for clothing and bones are used for their traditions

thus their lives are more resource intensive (they only take what they need)

define marine sanctuaries

designated areas in the ocean where human activity is regulated to preserve marine life and their habitats to protect and conserve the diverse resources found in our oceans

explain how marine sanctuaries sustainable manage the arctic on a small scale

prevents the decline of bohead whales which are one of the 17 whale species found in the arctic

clyde river marine sanctuary covers 3360 km squared where troughs are provided offshore which are rich in zooplankon for the bowhead whales to feed on

the marine sancturary protects the wales from illegal whaling and other threats whilst feeding up to 2000 bowhead whales stop annually during their migration

explain how international agreements sustainably manage on a global scale

paris agreement was the first legally global climate agreement which was signed by 195 countries in 2015 when they all agreed to stop further global warming by limiting it to less than 2 degrees

every 5 years each country has to state what they have done to achieve this goal as part of the paris agreement

what is this called

nationally determined contribution (NDC)

what is climate change

large scale , long term changes in average temperatrue and weather patterns

how does deforestation impact the nutrient cycle

decreases the biomass store causing decreased soil fertility

impacts on the water cycle would include the forest being more prone to flooding from heavy rainfall

some areas becoming more vulnerable to wilfires

there would also be less trees to hold the soil together so heavy rains can leach the soil which can lead to soil erosion

what are the effects of soil erosion

can enter rivers damaging breeding areas for fish

explain how indigeneous communities use the tropical rainforest

food is obtained from hunting and fishing

forest timber is used to make homes and boats

everyday items such as clothes are made from forest plants which can also be used as natural medicines to cure diseases