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What is the average temperature of Antarctica?
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What is the average temperature of Antarctica?
The average temperature of Antarctica is -49 °C.
True or False?
Antarctica receives high levels of precipitation.
False.
Precipitation in Antarctica is very low, less than 50mm per year in the interior.
What is the Antarctic Convergence?
The Antarctic Convergence is the northern boundary of the Antarctic global common.
Why is biological productivity low in Antarctica?
Biological productivity is low in Antarctica due to the cold and dry climate and limited availability of sunlight.
What is the primary source of productivity in the Southern Ocean?
The primary source of productivity in the Southern Ocean is phytoplankton.
True or False?
The largest land animal in Antarctica is the penguin.
False.
The largest land animal in Antarctica is a wingless midge, which is less than 1.3 cm long.
All the other, larger, animals in Antarctica are considered marine animals, meaning that they feed and live largely in the ocean. This includes penguins.
What makes Antarctica a vulnerable environment?
Antarctica is vulnerable due to its extreme climate, fragile ecosystems, increasing human activities, and it being one of the fastest warming regions on Earth.
What happened to the Brunt Ice Shelf in January 2023?
In January 2023, an iceberg nearly as big as Greater London broke off the Brunt Ice Shelf.
Why is there growing interest in mining minerals in Antarctica?
There is growing interest in mining minerals in Antarctica due to technological advancements making extraction easier and increased demand from population growth and economic development.
What are the main types of vegetation found in Antarctica?
The main types of vegetation found in Antarctica are mosses and lichens.
What is the primary threat to the Patagonian Toothfish?
The primary threat to the Patagonian Toothfish is unsustainable fishing, putting it at risk of becoming endangered.
Why is overfishing of krill a significant threat to the Antarctic ecosystem?
Overfishing of krill is a significant threat because krill are a primary food source for many species, such as whales, seals, and penguins. Their decline could lead to population declines and the potential extinction of other species.
True or False?
Commercial whaling is no longer a threat to Antarctic whale populations.
False.
While commercial whaling has declined, some countries, like Norway and Japan, continue to hunt whales.
Why do whale populations take a long time to recover from hunting?
Whale populations take a long time to recover because whales are very slow to reproduce, usually giving birth to only one calf at a time with gestation periods lasting between 9 and 18 months.
What are some of the mineral resources found in Antarctica?
Mineral resources found in Antarctica include coal, iron ore, copper, gold, platinum, and oil reserves under the Southern Ocean.
How many research stations are there in Antarctica?
There are 82 research stations in Antarctica.
What is the albedo effect, and how does it relate to climate change in Antarctica?
The albedo effect refers to the reflection of solar radiation by light-colored surfaces. As glaciers and ice sheets melt in Antarctica, the dark-colored ocean or land surface absorbs more of the sun's energy, causing more warming and contributing to a positive feedback loop.
How is climate change affecting Adélie penguins?
Climate change is causing a significant population decline in Adélie penguins as they need stable sea ice to build their nests and raise their young. The loss of sea ice affects their breeding and survival.
How many tourists visited Antarctica in 2019/20?
Almost 75,000 tourists visited Antarctica in 2019/20.
True or False?
Tourism in Antarctica has been steadily decreasing since the 1980s.
False.
Tourism in Antarctica has been steadily increasing, from fewer than 2000 visitors a year in the 1980s to almost 75,000 in 2019/20.
What is the Antarctic Treaty?
The Antarctic Treaty is an international agreement signed in 1959. It sets aside Antarctica as a scientific preserve, bans military activity on the continent, and suspends territorial claims.
How many countries have made territorial claims to parts of Antarctica?
Seven countries have made territorial claims to parts of Antarctica: Australia, Chile, Argentina, Norway, France, New Zealand, and the UK.
What is UNEP and how does it help protect Antarctica?
UNEP is the United Nations Environment Programme. It helps protect Antarctica by coordinating global policies, supporting research and monitoring, raising awareness, and supporting responsible tourism strategies.
What is the main purpose of the International Whaling Commission (IWC)?
The main purpose of the IWC is to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks.
What is the Protocol on Environmental Protection?
The Protocol on Environmental Protection, also known as the Madrid Protocol, is an agreement signed in 1991 that established Antarctica as a 'natural reserve, devoted to peace and science' and enhanced environmental protection measures.
What is ASOC and what is its role in Antarctica?
ASOC is the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition, an NGO that promotes scientific research, conservation, and sustainable use of Antarctica. It raises awareness of environmental issues and fights for stronger environmental protections.
True or False?
The Antarctic Treaty allows for military activities in Antarctica.
False.
The Antarctic Treaty bans military activity on the continent.
What is a strength of the Antarctic Treaty?
The strengths of the Antarctic Treaty are that it:
Has lasted over 60 years with no major problems.
Promotes peaceful cooperation.
Has helped to prevent military conflict and tensions.
Promotes scientific research.
What is a weakness of the International Whaling Commission?
The weaknesses of the IWC are that:
Members are free to opt-out and there are no penalties for leaving.
Countries can choose not to follow IWC regulations.
There are loopholes in the IWC regulations.
What is a Marine Protected Area (MPA) and why is ASOC promoting them?
A Marine Protected Area is a zone of the ocean where human activity is restricted for conservation purposes. ASOC promotes MPAs to conserve and protect the diverse and unique wildlife in Antarctica, such as penguins, whales, and seals.