Sustainable management

• What are cold environments described as in terms of their management?

  Fragile areas that need to be sustainably managed
• Why are cold environments considered valuable wilderness areas worth conserving?

  • They provide habitats for unique organisms.
  • They contain unique natural environments with untouched landforms, plants, and animals.
  • Studying them can help replicate conditions in managed ecosystems to preserve rare species.
• What is an example of a wilderness area in cold environments?

  Denali Park, Alaska
• What is one reason why it is important to conserve wilderness areas in cold environments?

  They provide habitats for organisms that couldn’t survive elsewhere
• How do cold environments contribute to scientific knowledge?

  They provide valuable knowledge about fragile ecosystems that are relatively untouched by people
• Why is it difficult for species in cold environments to adapt to change?

  Because species are highly specialised
• What is one reason why cold environments are considered fragile?

  Plant growth is slow
• What impact does human interference have on cold environments?

  It can take a long time for them to return to their original state
• What are the strategies needed to balance economic development with conservation in cold environments?

  1. Role of Governments:

  • Uncontrolled development can damage the environment.
  • Governments can pass laws to protect wilderness areas.

  1. Using Technology:

  • Development can cause problems like melting permafrost.
  • Modern construction methods can minimize environmental impacts.

  1. International Agreements:

  • Some cold environments are protected by agreements like the Antarctic Treaty.

  1. Conservation Groups:

  • Groups like Greenpeace and WWF pressure governments for protection.
• What can uncontrolled development in cold environments lead to?

  Damage to the environment
• What is the purpose of the 1964 Wilderness Act?

  To protect designated wilderness areas from development
• How can modern construction methods help cold environments?

  By minimizing environmental impacts
• What does the 1959 Antarctic Treaty limit?

  Visits to 100 per site
• What activities does the Antarctic Treaty prohibit?

  Nuclear activities
• How does the Antarctic Treaty allow tourism?

  In a controlled way that doesn’t harm the fragile ecosystem
• What role do conservation groups like Greenpeace and WWF play?

  They pressure governments to protect cold environments
• What is the challenge of balancing economic development with the protection of cold environments?

  • Economic development can lead to environmental damage.
  • Protecting cold environments is crucial for biodiversity and ecosystem health.
  • Sustainable practices are needed to ensure both can coexist.
• What is a consequence of development in cold environments regarding recovery time?

  It can take a while to recover from the damage caused
• What should students do to prepare for exam questions on cold environments?

  Scan the QR code for an exam-style question and a video
• How does the melting of sea ice affect polar bears?

  It decreases their numbers as they are adapted to hunt on ice