Northern Europe: People and Their Environment

Northern Europe: People and Their Environment

by Phillip Stamps

Multiple Choice

Which of the following countries is NOT part of northern Europe

• Finland

• Iceland

• Germany

• Sweden

​The North Sea

​The North Sea is home to about 230 species of fish, including cod, haddock, mackerel, and herring. These are all common species and are a target of commercial fishing. Due to overfishing, however, many key commercial species are close to collapse. Bottom trawling, or towing a net along the seafloor, as a form of commercial fishing also threatens the seabed habitats

​The Baltic Sea

​The Baltic Sea possesses a unique ecology. Its connection to the open ocean is restricted, so it is only semi-salty. The Baltic Sea undergoes water stratification, a situation in which the water layers do not mix. These factors contribute to eutrophication, a serious problem in which there is an increase in plant production. Eutrophication limits the amount of plankton produced—a major source of food for many species in the sea.

Fill in the Blanks

​Invasive species

​A non-indigenous or non-native species that threatens ecosystems, habitats, or other species. This can be a plant, animal, or a fish. An increase in ship traffic since the 1950s has also introduced a number of invasive species which travel on ships’ water tanks or hulls. Given the relatively low number of species in the Baltic Sea, invasive species can have an especially detrimental effect on the sea.

Multiple Choice

An increase in ship traffic on the Baltic Sea has introduced

• Invasive Species

• stratification

• eutrophication

• pollution

​The Forest

​Logging and agriculture led to the deforestation of much of Europe’s original forests. Much of the remaining forest is the boreal forest, or taiga, of Scandinavia and Russia. However, even here deforestation has caused major disruptions to animal and plant ecosystems. Also, trees and soils of the boreal forest store a large amount of carbon as decomposed or partly decomposed material. If deforestation continues, the stored organic matter will decompose more rapidly and the stored carbon will be released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.

Multiple Choice

Deforestation causes nwhat to be released in the atmosphere?

• Gas

• Pollution

• Acid Rain

• Carbon Dioxide

Multiple Choice

What has been the biggest cause of deforestation in Northern Europe?

• logging and agriculture

• acid rain

• eutrophication

• pollution

Multiple Choice

If you put limits on logging this is an example of ?

• biodiversity

• deforestation

• ecotourism

• conservation

​Acid Rain

​Scandinavian scientists in the 1950s were some of the first to understand the effects of acid rain as they discovered acidic damage to lakes and streams. Although Northern Europe is less industrialized than many other parts of Europe, air pollution from the United Kingdom and other more industrialized areas of Europe is carried by winds to the northern regions of Europe. In the atmosphere these pollutants form sulfuric and nitric acid, which are released in rain or snow.

Multiple Choice

Since Northern Europe is less industrialized than other parts of Europe. What has caused the acid rain?

• water pollution

• oil spills from ships

• winds carrying pollutants from other parts of Europe

• chemical runoff

​Northern Europe's Climate

​Because of its location in the high latitudes, the climate is changing more rapidly in Northern Europe than in most other places in the world. These changes are especially detrimental to the subregion’s ecosystems. Warmer temperatures are causing ice to melt. The rising temperatures also affect the distribution of animals. Many species are moving closer to the North Pole as temperatures rise. Birds are migrating and arriving at their nesting grounds earlier. In some countries, the birds have stopped leaving, as the climate is suitable all year round.

Multiple Choice

How has climate changed affected Northern Europe's ecosystems?

• invasive species travel on the hull of ships

• Birds migrate early or not at all

• building dams changes the flow of rivers

• dead animals and plants decompose quicker

Multiple Choice

Which is the tourism that Northern Europe has developed that shows concern for the environment.

• virtual tourism

• ecotourism 

• responsible tourism

• conservation

Poll

Are you ready for a quiz on People and their environment of Northern Europe?

• YES!

• NO!

• Bring it on !

• Oh No :( 

• Maybe