Cold environments

• Cold environments are found at higher latitudes and higher altitudes. They include polar, tundra and mountain, or alpine, biomes.
• Cold environments face challenges from development. This includes tourism, fishing, mining and energy.
• Climate change is affecting cold environments. As global temperatures rise, the world’s ice sheets and glaciers have begun to melt.

Cold environments are found at:

• higher latitudes, where solar energy is lower
• higher altitudes, because there is a decrease in air temperature of around 0.6 to 0.7 °C for every 100 m gained in height

Cold environments include polar, tundra and mountain (or alpine) biomes. They are home to many people.

Polar biomes are areas close to the North and South Pole that have long, cold winters. Average temperatures are mostly below freezing. Very little precipitation falls. Small plants, such as mosses and algae, can survive the harsh conditions. Polar bears live in the Arctic and have two layers of fur to keep them warm.

Tundra biomes are found in Antarctica and in the Northern Hemisphere below the polar biome, eg Russia, Greenland, Canada, Alaska and Scandinavia. Snow covers the ground for much of the year and permafrost restricts plant growth to small species such as grasses and low shrubs. Species such as reindeer are found in the tundra. Reindeer can see ultraviolet (UV) light, which helps them to see during the long, dark winters, when there is very little sunlight.

Mountain, or alpine, biomes are found throughout the world, at high altitudes, such as the Alps in Europe and the Himalayas in Asia. These regions are usually windy and cold. Low-growing plants can survive, whereas taller plants like trees would get blown over. Mountain goats live in high altitudes. They have two toes with rough pads to improve grip. They can climb steep cliffs and rarely slip.

Tourism

An estimated 800 people reach the summit of Mount Everest every year. Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. The mountain can become crowded with people, and litter has become an additional challenge. People are leaving food wrappers and equipment, such as tents, on the mountain when they leave. Human waste, from mountaineers who need to use the toilet, is also left behind. This litter is bad for the environment and can be dangerous for people.

Fishing

In the US state of Alaska, nearly one in 10 people work in fishing or fishing-related industries. Salmon is very valuable and so the fish numbers in Alaska are carefully monitored to prevent overfishing.

Mining and energy

32 new gas fields are opening in the Yamal Peninsula, northern Russia. They could provide enough gas to heat a quarter of the homes in Europe for 35 years. Special ships, capable of breaking through thick ice, will transport the gas. The gas pipelines are blocking the migration routes of Yamal reindeer herders.

Climate change

Climate change is affecting cold environments. As global temperatures rise, the world’s ice sheets and glaciers have begun to melt. The melting of sea ice around Greenland has meant that the Inuit people have lost hunting grounds and find it difficult to move from village to village.

This is also affecting polar bears, as they rely on the sea ice to hunt for seals. Polar bears are struggling to find enough food and have to travel further to find food. Some studies suggest that polar bears could die out completely by 2100.