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Antarctica Case Study.pdf

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Antarctica Case Study.pdf

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Zachary Nguyen
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Antarctica Case Study

Zachary Nguyen

Antarctica has a unique ecosystem as it is home to several endangered species, such as seals, penguins, whales, and seabirds. The

continent is geopolitically significant as several countries such as Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United

Kingdom, have territorial claims in the continent, creating a competition for influence and access to resources in Antarctica. The continent is

the largest cold desert on Earth, thick ice covers 98% of the continent, and does not have a native human population.

Antarctica is warming at a faster rate than the rest of the world with temperatures rising 2-3 times the global average, only increasing

as glaciers and ice sheets melt. In fact, Antarctica is losing ice mass at an average rate of 150 million tonnes per year. Melting ice could

disrupt ocean current, impacting global weather patterns and marine life. Warming could shift the timing of seasonal events such as seabird

breeding and migration, and also increase the likelihood of invasive species. Climate change could also cause ocean acidification, which

could cause a severe decline in phytoplankton and krill, potentially undermining the entire marine ecosystem.

The marine ecosystems and wildlife have been affected by unsustainable fishing and whaling. Illegal and unregulated fishing is difficult

to monitor and has increased over the last 10 years. Fishing also threatens species such as albatross and petrels, which get caught in fishing

lines and drown. Additionally, overfishing of krill undermines the entire marine ecosystem because they are a primary food source for many

species. Moreover, whaling is a significant threat; though whaling has declined since it was banned, some countries such as Norway and

Japan to continue hunt whales. This presents a large problem, as whale populations take a large time to reproduce: whale species only give

birth to one calf at a time and the gestation period lasts between 9 and 18 months.

Antarctica is being impacted on land as well. Exploitation of oil and minerals, though restricted or banned, still continue illegally, along

with pollution, toxic waste, and oil spills cause Antarctica to melt and it’s ecosystem to deteriorate. Strategies for managing Antarctican

human activity include the Antarctic Treaty of 1959, creation of protected areas, fisheries regulation, activity prohibition, protection from

invasive species, waste management, and tourism control. Specially Protected Areas (SPAs) and Specially Managed Areas (SMAs) have been

created to conserve unique ecosystems, habitats, and species from human disturbance. These protected areas play a crucial role in

managing human impacts by restricting access to sensitive habitats, minimizing disturbance to wildlife and preserving Antarctic ecosystems.

The continent’s ecosystem is greatly being impacted. Pollution such as fishing nets, plastic, lines, and hooks carried by the seal can

result in great suffering or loss of life by seabirds, arctic fish, and marine mammals. Additionally, a warming of the sea and loss of sea ice and

land-based ice result in a loss of habitat for land-dwelling arctic animals such as penguins. Furthermore, oceanic acidification is already

leading to the loss of some marine snails thought to play a significant part to play in the oceanic carbon cycle, phytoplankton, and krill. The

breeding populations and ranges of some species have been altered as well, as a result of global warming.

CITATIONS:

1. https://idstch.com/geopolitics/antarcticas-strategic-importance-unveiling-the-frozen-continents-global-significance/
2. https://www.ncesc.com/geographic-pedia/why-is-antarctica-so-special/
3. https://www.savemyexams.com/as/environmental-management/cie/20/revision-notes/4-managing-ecosystems-and-biodiversity/4-3-
impacts-of-human-activity-on-ecosystems/4-3-2-impacts-of-human-activity-on-antarctica/
4. https://www.britannica.com/place/Antarctica/Climate

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