Extreme Climates Revision

Key ideasDetailed content What are the challenges of extreme climates? Extreme climates are located in polar regions and hot arid areas; each has key physical characteristics. Investigating the climate of one named extreme environment: The Australian Outback Examining how flora and fauna are successfully adapted to the hot and dry conditions of the Australian Outback, but are also vulnerable to change. People adapt to the challenges of extreme climates in a variety of ways. Investigating the adaptations people make in the Australian Outback, such as farming methods, building styles, clothing, transport, energy use Considering the uniqueness and value of the culture of the Australian Aborigines who live in the Outback. How can extreme environments be managed and protected from the threats they face? Extreme climates are under threat from a range of processes, which include climate change. Investigating the threats to people and natural systems in the Australian Outback, such as cultural dilution through tourism, pollution through resource exploitation, and land degradation through poor land management. Investigating how climate change could threaten people and natural systems, such as desertification or species migration, in the Australian Outback. Sustainable management is needed locally and globally, if extreme environments are to survive. Assessing a range of local actions such as planting salt- tolerant crops and making land-management agreements with Aboriginal population. Assessing the role of global actions to protect extreme environments like the Australian Outback from the threat of climate change (Kyoto, World Heritage Sites, Ramsar status)

The Outback Describe the climate of the Outback (2) Explain why the climate is like this (2)

Why is it hot and dry? Rain shadow area – prevailing winds blow from Pacific, rain falls on mountains of the Great Dividing range. Deserts found 30°N and 30°S – descending air, so no clouds form

How have these plants and animals adapted?

For either A or B, give one reason for the shape of the roof (1) For A or B, describe how it is adapted to the climate (2) What else could be done to house A?

Aborigines Life & Culture Threats

Can you talk about these threats to the outback? Over extraction of water Poor land management – Soil erosion – Salinity Climate change – Desertification – Bush fires Cultural erosion

Explain how these are helping to ensure the survival of the Outback – Kyoto – World Heritage Sites – Ramsar Convention – Reducing Australia’s population – National Native Title Tibunal – Looking After Country Together – Salt-tolerant planting

Exam Questioin Using named examples, explain how local and global actions are helping to ensure the survival of either extreme cold or hot arid environments (6) You will be marked on QWC for this Q You should use local and global examples