P1C 01Global Distribution of Extreme Environments

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What are extreme environments?

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Extreme environments are habitats with conditions significantly different from the average, posing considerable challenges for human habitation and survival.

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What are the two main types of extreme environments?

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Inhospitable places and inaccessible places.

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What factors contribute to inhospitable places?

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Extreme temperatures, lack of drinking water, risk of natural hazards, low oxygen levels.

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What are examples of inaccessible places?

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Deserts and mountains.

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How are extreme environments globally distributed?

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They are categorized into Mountains, Tundra/Periglacial, Ice/Snow, and Desert/Semi-desert, found across various continents and latitudes.

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What are the two types of cold extreme environments?

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Glacial and Periglacial.

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What defines glacial environments?

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Places where the average temperature stays below 0°C throughout the year and are permanently covered in ice and/or snow.

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What defines periglacial environments?

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Places where the average temperature is below 0°C for most of the year but rises above zero for at least one month.

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Where are cold extreme environments primarily found?

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In high latitude places near the poles and high altitude places on mountains.

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Why are cold extreme environments found at the poles?

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Solar radiation travels a longer distance through the atmosphere, less energy reaches the surface, and the reflective ice surface reduces heat absorption.