C.1.1 Global Distribution of Extreme Environments Notes

Identifying Extreme Environments Based on Geography

1. Imagine standing in the blistering heat of the Sahara Desert or the icy winds of Antarctica.
2. These extreme environments are some of the most challenging places on Earth, yet they hold valuable insights into our planet's diversity.

What Makes an Environment "Extreme"?

1. Extreme environments are characterized by conditions that make survival difficult for most life forms.

These include:

1. Temperature Extremes: Intense heat or cold.
2. Limited Resources: Scarcity of water, nutrients, or arable land.
3. Isolation: Remoteness from human settlements or infrastructure.

Cold and High-Altitude Environments

1. Polar Regions: The Arctic and Antarctic

1. Location: Found at the Earth's poles.

Climate:

1. Freezing temperatures year-round.
2. Low precipitation, often classified as "cold deserts".

Key Features:

1. Ice Sheets and Glaciers: Cover vast areas, reflecting sunlight and regulating global climate.
2. Permafrost: Permanently frozen ground that supports unique ecosystems.

2. Glacial Areas: Mountainous Regions

1. Location: Found in high-altitude areas like the Himalayas, Alps, and Rockies.

Climate:

1. Cold temperatures with heavy snowfall.
2. Short summers with melting ice.

Key Features:

1. Glaciers: Rivers of ice that shape the landscape through erosion.
2. Thin Soils: Poor for agriculture due to erosion and freezing.

3. Periglacial Areas: Tundra and Beyond

1. Location: Found in regions with seasonal freezing and thawing, such as Siberia and Alaska.

Climate:

1. Cold winters and cool summers.
2. Low precipitation, often as snow.

Key Features:

1. Permafrost: Supports tundra vegetation like mosses and lichens.
2. Frost Action: Creates unique landforms like pingos (ice-cored hills).