GCSE Geography Paper 1

• Polar Biomes:

  • north and south most regions
  • Permafrost
  • -50 degrees C
  • low precipitation
  • Some mosses and lichens on fringe of ice
  • Polar bears and bear berries
• Tundra Environments:

  • permafrost, but this melts in Summer
  • soil is generally infertile and very waterlogged in Summer
  • -20 degrees C
  • Mainly snow, but higher precipitation in coastal areas
  • Low growing plants and bushes so more food and more animals like foxes and birds
• Bear berry Plants:

  • lots of leaves for photosynthesis
  • waxy leaves do ice falls off
  • hairy stem to keep warm and speed chemical reactions
  • red berry to signify danger to animals but to attract birds
  • low growing so it can survive winds
• Svalbard is…


  A territory in the Arctic Ocean owned by Norway, a tundra
• Opportunities for Development:

  • Mineral mining - lots of coal, but mining disturbs seabed but provides 300 jobs
  • Fishing - Barents Sea has 150 fish species, breeding and nursery grounds, controlled by Norway and Russia
  • Energy - Svalbard is on the constructive Mid Atlantic ridge which could be used for geothermal energy
  • Tourism - provides 300 jobs, people visit for wildlife, glacier and fjord tours, but harbour was extended
• Challenges:

  • Construction - too cold, permafrost (warm clothes and foundations that are deep)
  • Extreme temperature - can’t work outside (insulate buildings and wear warm clothes)
  • Services - water, electricity and sewers needed in residential and industrial areas, water may freeze in pipe (insulate pipes)
  • Accessibility - very isolated, can’t drive in permafrost (stock for winter and drive snowmobiles)
• Threats:

  • Off-road driving - vehicles could melt permafrost or kill plants and animals
  • Oil Spills
• Oil Spills:

  • Eg Siberia, Russia
  • Could leak into waterways and kill animals that swim in, land on or consume it
  • Hot oil could melt permafrost
  • Could kill trees
  • Oil is flammable
• Cold Environments are fragile because…


  If permafrost is melted it could kill plants so the animals can’t eat
• Arguments against development of Cold Environments:

  • Should be preserved for endangered species
  • Protect indigenous tribes eg the Inuits
  • Good for scientific investigation
  • Cold environments take a long time to establish
• Arguments for the development of cold environments:

  • More homes and jobs
  • Technology could allow development without damage
  • Rich in resources eg coal and oil
• What is the purpose of the Antarctic Treaty?

  To ensure countries share resources, prohibit nuclear testing, and ban mining
• What was Greenpeace's action in 2014 regarding cold environments?

  They protested against Russia exploiting the oceans
• What does WWF do to protect the environment?

  It protects endangered plants and animals and works with countries for safe development
• What is the significance of the TransAlaskan Pipeline?

  It prevents the need for tankers and is designed to protect the environment
• When was the TransAlaskan Pipeline built?

  1977
• How does the TransAlaskan Pipeline accommodate migratory Caribou?

  It is built on stilts to allow them to pass underneath
• Why is the TransAlaskan Pipeline insulated?

  To prevent melting of permafrost and spills
• What feature of the TransAlaskan Pipeline helps it withstand earthquakes?

  The stilts are flexible
• What actions are Alaska and Russia taking regarding national parks?

  They are creating many national parks, such as the Western Arctic Reserve
• What is prohibited in the national parks created by Alaska and Russia?

  Oil drilling
• Why do cold environments have long, harsh winters?


  Because temperatures remain below freezing for extended periods
• What is permafrost?


  Permanently frozen ground found in many cold environments
• How do cold environments typically affect plant growth?


  They have short growing seasons due to long, cold winters
• What does environmental fragility refer to?


  An ecosystem's vulnerability to disturbances or changes
• What are the characteristics of a fragile environment?


  • Easily disrupted by external factors
  • Low resilience to change
  • Long recovery time from disturbances
  • Contains specialized species adapted to specific conditions
  • Delicate balances between its components
• Why are cold environments particularly fragile?


  Due to slow growth rates, thin soils, and specialized adaptations