1. Synoptic: Biodiversity under Threat Arctic on the Edge

2. Wordle of advance info whole text

3. Wordle of advance info (minus Arctic)

4. Arctic on the Edge: The key ideas
Geopolitics….
Conflict…
Threats…
Players….
Actions….
Futures….

5. Arctic: Geographical overview
Physical features:
- Oceans / tectonics
- Climate / Ice sheets
- Biodiversity
- Natural resources (energy, food, minerals)
Human features:
- Population
- Geopolitics
- Economic activity

6. What is the Arctic? Why is the Arctic a hard area to define?
Why might that be an issue in future?

7. Physical features
Find out some facts and figures about the key areas of the Arctic (how big, deep, etc..?)

8. Physical features: Ocean and tectonics
Eurasian basin opened by plate tectonics 65mya (constructive plate boundary)
Gakkel ridge is extension of Mid-Atlantic ridge (nearby volcanic activity = natural cause of climate change..)
Lomonosov ridge was part of Eurasian plate until 65mya when Eurasian basin opened and split it from Eurasian plate/Russia

9. Physical features: Link to global climate system

10. Physical features: Ice caps and ice sheets
Be able to name and define the key Arctic ice sheets and ice caps.
Why are they important?

11. Physical features: Sea ice and climate change
What are the issues with Arctic sea ice?
>refer back to AS climate change notes, albedo, positive feedback etc..

12. Physical features: Climate
Can you compare the Arctic climate (temperatures and levels of rainfall) with the UK?

13. Physical features: Boreal forest and tundra
Make sure you understand what these two biomes are like, why they are like that and why they are sensitive…

14. Physical features: Ecosystems
Make sure you understand what processes occur in the ecosystems of the Arctic and how they might be affected by human activity and natural changes.

15. Physical features: Energy resources

16. Human features: Population density
Can you put these figures into context with other places? How low are they?
What is life like here?

17. Human features: Geopolitics
Why are these countries interested in the Arctic and extending their EEZs?
What conflicts and issues are there now and in future?

18. Themes/ideas: Goods and services model
Supporting services:
The aspects of the biomes:
Primary production
Soil formation
Nutrient cycling
Flora and fauna
Climate services:
Climate cooling/Energy transfer
Carbon sink
Ocean circulation
Provisioning services:
Food (fish, seals, caribou etc.)
Timber
Oil, gas and minerals
Cultural services:
Spiritual connection
Recreation (tourism)
Education
Aesthetics
Based on the MEA model (2005)

19. Themes/ideas: Spectrum of management strategies

20. Themes/ideas: Sustainable development
Social needs
Environmental safeguarding/ improvement
Economic needs

21. Topic map of overall theme
Physical / human features
Issues
Biodiversity: Arctic on Edge
Players
Futures
Actions

22. Topic map of overall theme
Biomes
Climate
Economic activity
Population
Features/ Characteristics
Physical features
Marine
Human features
Energy
Conflict
TNCs
IGOs
Biodiversity: Arctic on Edge
Issues
NGOs
Global
Players
Futures
Local
Actions
Regional

23. How can I be “synoptic”? Use ‘new’ information from research
Parallel examples
How can I be “synoptic”?
Links to areas of AS and A2 course
Use of broad geographical themes

24. Arctic Ecosystems Statistics BP Gulf spill Issues
Use ‘new’ information from research
Issues
ANWR
Falklands
Parallel examples
Players
Antarctica
Arctic
Inequality
Going Global
Use of broad geographical themes
Geopolitics
Links to areas of AS and A2 course
Water Conflict
Sustainability
Climate change
Globalisation
Energy Security
World at Risk
Superpowers

25. Parallel examples Geopolitical tension/conflict over resources:
Falklands conflict
Oil / energy:
Shell in the Arctic
Gulf 2010
Exxon Valdez
British Antarctic Survey website (v.good on geopolitics, Treaty, tourism etc..)
RGS A level website on Antarctica (great on geopolitics, Treaty etc..)
Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR)

26. Further research / updates
Great website with overview of all areas (climate, people, resources etc.)
Interactive map with GIS layers on almost everything in here:
Website and BBC video clips on Inuit people and history, issues etc..
Article on geology and geopolitics, land claims etc.:
Energy challenges
Arctic biomes:

27. Further research / updates
Websites in pre-release: Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (CAFF)
Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (report and video at bottom of page)
Arctic Council:
Greenpeace: (
Background films:
Alaska: Frozen Kingdom (series of three films about life and biodviverity issues in Alaska)
You can also find Bruce Parry's five "Arctic" programs on BryPlayer

28. Some ideas for questions…
Account for the current levels of biodiversity in the Arctic.
Explain how physical factors have affected biodiversity in the Arctic.
Assess the relative importance of human and physical factors in influencing levels of biodiversity in the Arctic.
Explain how a range of threats could affect physical processes in the ecosystems of the Arctic.
With reference to Figure 5, account for the current trends in biodiversity in the Arctic region.
Explain how human activity has affected the condition of ecosystem goods and services in the Arctic
To what extent will economic activity impact on biodiversity in the Arctic region?
To what extent does political tension threaten biodiversity in the Arctic?
Climate change the biggest threat to the biodiversity of the Arctic. Discuss.

29. More ideas for questions…
Assess the severity of local and global threats to the Arctic in future.
To what extent are local, small-scale conservation schemes more likely to protect Arctic biodiversity than global initiatives?
With reference to Figure 9, explain how the three scenarios could lead to very different futures for biodiversity in the Arctic.
Outline the advantages and disadvantages of the management scenarios in Figure 9.
Examine the roles that a range of players could take in managing biodiversity in the Arctic.
Assess the global and local value of the goods and services in the Arctic region.
Assess the local and global importance of the Arctic region.
Evaluate the impact that globalisation could have on the condition of ecosystems in the Arctic.