Key Terms: Cold Environments (AQA GCSE Geography): Revision Note

Cold environments - key terms glossary

Active layer – The top layer of soil that thaws during the short summer in tundra regions, above the permanently frozen permafrost.

Arctic – The region around the North Pole, including the Arctic Ocean and surrounding countries like Canada, Russia, and Greenland.

Biodiversity – The variety of species living in a particular habitat; in cold environments, biodiversity is generally low.

Carnivores – Meat-eating animals such as wolves and polar bears, which rely on herbivores or fish as prey.

Cold environments – Areas where the temperature stays below freezing for much of the year, including polar and tundra regions.

Dormant – A state in which plant growth or animal activity is temporarily stopped due to extreme cold or lack of light.

Interdependence – The way plants, animals, climate, and soil in cold environments depend on each other for survival.

Musk ox – A tundra animal with thick fur and large hooves, adapted to survive extreme cold and snow.

Permafrost – Permanently frozen ground found in polar and tundra regions, which stores methane and limits plant growth.

Phytoplankton – Microscopic organisms in cold seas, crucial to marine food chains by feeding krill and fish.

Polar environments – The most extreme cold regions found around the North and South Poles, often covered by ice caps.

Seasonal variation – Cold environments experience distinct cold summers and even colder winters with extreme daylight changes.

Tundra – A treeless plain mostly found in the Arctic Circle with permafrost, low vegetation, and short growing seasons.

Development of cold environments - key terms glossary

Accessibility – A challenge in cold environments due to remote locations, ice roads, and melting permafrost, which affect transport and construction.

Adventure tourism – A growing industry in places like Alaska and Antarctica, where people seek unique, extreme travel experiences.

Heat impact – Infrastructure such as buildings and transport can cause the permafrost to melt, making the land unstable.

Mineral extraction – Includes mining for gold, copper, and silver; often involves disturbing fragile environments.

Oil pipeline – Example: Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), designed to transport oil without melting permafrost beneath it.

Permafrost melt – A major challenge caused by infrastructure and climate change, which leads to ground instability.

Risks of economic development - key terms glossary

Biodiversity loss – Caused when cold ecosystems are damaged; species like polar bears cannot adapt to rapid change or migrate elsewhere.

Conservation groups – Organisations like WWF and Greenpeace that advocate for sustainable management and global protection of cold ecosystems.

Endangered species – Animals like polar bears that are at risk of extinction due to shrinking habitats and melting ice.

Fragile environments – Cold regions recover very slowly from damage because of their extreme conditions and low biodiversity.

Global actions – Agreements like the Antarctic Treaty (1961) and the 1998 Protocol help protect cold environments from exploitation.

Land degradation – Caused when permafrost melts or is damaged by development, affecting soil stability and plant growth.

Sustainable management – The approach to development that ensures long-term protection of cold environments while benefiting local people.

Technological solutions – Raised buildings, insulated pipelines, and gravel pads are examples of adapting infrastructure to permafrost.

Wilderness areas – Natural, largely untouched environments that offer vital research opportunities and must be preserved.