Extreme climates

Extreme climates

1. Is a place that experiences extreme temperature or rainfall conditions that limit growth of fauna and flora

2. Definitions

   • Arid - regions that get less than 250mm of water a year
   • Semi arid - get between 250mm and 500mm of rainfall a year
   • Carrying capacity - the amount of people that an area can support with its natural resources and climate

3. Animal adaptations

   • Camel
     • Fat in hump on back
     • Do not sweat
     • Long + double eye lashes
     • Camoflague to surroundings
     • Fur to keep warm at night
     • Large feet so they don't sink in the sand
     • Hair nostrils to keep sand out
   • Cactus
     • Hollow to store water
     • Spikes to protect it from animals
     • Waxy outer layer - less water loss
     • Long root system collect water eapidly
   • Polar bear
     • Large body
     • Big feet don't sink in snow
     • Small ears
     • Strong legs
     • Thick layer of blubur
     • Thick fur which is camoflague
   • Artic poppy
     • leaves develop during the summer
     • When weather comes better they begin to photosynthesis
     • Concave shape concentrates rays
     • Self pollinating
     • Leaves follow the sun

4. Issues fauna have in extreme environments

   • Desertification
     • Human explotation
     • Over grazing
   • Bursting glacial lakes
     • release a surge of melt water
     • Possibly due to climate change
     • Could kill animal species
   • Solidfication
     • Landslide under ground due to soil erosion and gravity
     • Link to climate change with rising temperatures

5. The arctic

   • Warming of the arctic
     • Large area of permafrost had melted
     • Mild less cold winters when usually be below freezing
   • Impacts on ecosystem
     • Beetle infestations are increasing as forests are warmer in winter allow beetle larvae to survive
     • Caribou grazing lands are shrinking
       • Caribou important food source
     • The timings of many animal migrations have changed by up to 15 days for some species
   • Impacts of local economy
     • Tourism
       • Tourists seasons longer so more money can be made
       • Fragile environment could be swamped by visitors
     • Indigenous people
       • Traditional fishing + hunting techniques decline
       • Moving around is harder due to permafrost melting meaning ground is water logged
       • Breeding areas change due to migration

6. Threats to arid environments

   • Drought
     • Will become more frequent reducing water supply for farmers and people
   • Evapouration
     • Will increase more in the north + east of Australia reducing water supply
   • Bush fires
     • Will become more common in drier + hotter climates
   • The "big dry"
     • Long period of drought that cost the government 3 billion + and stretched water supply to the limit
   • Land degradation
     • Over grazing is a major cause

7. Cultrural threats to extreme environments (aborigines)

   • Culture of aborigines
     • Hunter gathers
       • Honey ants
       • Widgetty grubs
       • Water from frog bladder
       • Crocodile eggs
   • Threats of tourism
     • Positive
       • Boost to economy
       • Raise awarness
     • Negatives
       • Intrusive on sacred land
       • Exploited to dance
       • 90% of aborigines slaughtered during first 60yrs of british rule
   • New Uluru aboriginal culture centre
     • Educates visitors about history and culture of aborigines
     • Looks at language
     • 30 locals run the centre
     • Admission fee goes to aborigines
     • Biggest souvenir is a t-shirt that says "I didn't climb Uluru"

8. SAHEL actions to reduce effects of climate changes

   • Diguettes in Bukina faso
     • To prevent soil erosion
     • Conserve as much rainfall as possible
     • Increased crop yield
     • Soil depth can increase by up to 18cm
     • In heavy rain fertile top soil no longer washed away
   • Conservation and multi cropping
     • Moisture trapped in soil
     • Helps to minimise drought + soil erosion
     • Reduces the risk of crop failure
     • Increased crop yield by 10 times
     • If one crop fails there are others