QCM : Arctic and Antarctic Climate and Governance — 24 questions

Questions et réponses du QCM

1. What is the main invasion risk created by biofouling species in Antarctic shipping?

Organisms attached to ship hulls spread non-native species between ports and Antarctic waters
Ice shelves block all vessel-borne species from reaching coastal habitats
Birds carrying seeds across the Southern Ocean spread new plant communities
Ocean currents dissolve plastic into harmless compounds before it reaches Antarctica

Organisms attached to ship hulls spread non-native species between ports and Antarctic waters

Explication

Biofouling species are organisms attached to hulls that can travel with vessels and spread non-native species. This makes ship movement a key invasion pathway into Antarctic waters.

2. What is meant by Antarctic territorial claims in the South American context?

A policy of abandoning any historical presence in Antarctica
A requirement that all Antarctic land be jointly owned
Sovereignty assertions paired with a stated aim to safeguard those areas
A complete rejection of scientific activity in Antarctica

Sovereignty assertions paired with a stated aim to safeguard those areas

Explication

The topic defines Antarctic territorial claims as sovereignty assertions over parts of Antarctica combined with a stated aim to safeguard those areas. It is not a rejection of science or a plan for joint ownership.

3. What role does freshwater from melting glaciers play in ocean circulation?

It causes sea ice to become more reflective
It can weaken the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation
It permanently strengthens deep-ocean salinity gradients
It eliminates all ocean mixing across the globe

It can weaken the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation

Explication

The material connects increased freshwater from melting glaciers with weakening of the AMOC. The other responses are not the described mechanism.

4. What is Brazil’s PROANTAR in the Antarctic context?

A CCAMLR rule for krill fishing distribution
Brazil’s 2021 Antarctic tourism law
Brazil’s Antarctic program launched in 1982
A Chilean research line on ecosystem thresholds

Brazil’s Antarctic program launched in 1982

Explication

PROANTAR is Brazil’s Antarctic program, launched in 1982, which expanded Brazil’s Antarctic institutional presence. The other options refer to different topics or unrelated measures.

5. Which pair correctly names the only two official Antarctic MPAs under CCAMLR?

Cape Horn MPA and Bellingshausen Sea MPA
Weddell Sea MPA and Amundsen Sea MPA
Drake Passage MPA and Antarctic Peninsula MPA
South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA and Ross Sea Region MPA

South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA and Ross Sea Region MPA

Explication

The material states that only two official Antarctic MPAs exist under CCAMLR: the South Orkney Islands Southern Shelf MPA and the Ross Sea Region MPA. The other pairs are not listed as official CCAMLR MPAs.

6. What does Chile’s Antarctic tourism policy require of Chilean tour operators?

A ban on all tourism south of Cape Horn
Operation without any environmental review
Exclusive use of military ships for all tours
Participation in IAATO and environmentally responsible, safe activities

Participation in IAATO and environmentally responsible, safe activities

Explication

Chile’s 2020 tourism policy requires Chilean tour operators to participate in IAATO and manage activities with environmental responsibility and safety. The other options are not part of the policy.

7. What do ship and aircraft operations contribute to in the Arctic?

A complete absence of environmental harm
Permanent removal of all marine contaminants
Natural warming only through volcanic activity
Pollution through fossil-fuel use and waste disposal

Pollution through fossil-fuel use and waste disposal

Explication

The material says ship and aircraft operations add pollution through fossil-fuel use and waste disposal. The other options conflict with the stated impacts.

8. What is the main concern with green development projects in resource-dependent Arctic regions?

They can displace Indigenous territories and disrupt hunting and grazing
They guarantee long-term economic diversification
They eliminate the need for any local governance
They prevent all forms of environmental monitoring

They can displace Indigenous territories and disrupt hunting and grazing

Explication

The topic notes that wind farms, hydropower dams, and critical-mineral development can displace Indigenous territories and disrupt hunting, grazing, and cultural sites. These projects do not automatically bring diversification.

9. Which requirement is part of Chile’s 2020 Antarctic tourism policy?

Tourism is limited to government research vessels operating without private operators
Tour operators must focus only on expeditions departing from the Ross Sea
Tour operators must participate in IAATO and manage activities with environmental responsibility and safety
Tour operators must receive approval directly from SCAR before every voyage

Tour operators must participate in IAATO and manage activities with environmental responsibility and safety

Explication

Chile’s tourism policy requires Chilean tour operators to be involved in IAATO and to run activities with environmental responsibility and safety. SCAR is a research body, not a tourism approval authority.

10. What is permafrost?

A type of frozen precipitation that falls over the Arctic Ocean
A seasonal snowpack that reflects most incoming sunlight
Ground that stays below 0°C for at least 2 years and can store carbon long-term
A layer of floating sea ice that melts every summer

Ground that stays below 0°C for at least 2 years and can store carbon long-term

Explication

Permafrost is defined as ground that remains below 0°C for at least two years and can act as long-term carbon storage. The distractors describe other cryosphere features.

11. What did the gentoo penguin microplastics study use to show Antarctic food-chain ingestion?

Plastic fragments embedded in Antarctic bedrock
Plastic waste collected only from research stations
Microplastics measured only in seawater near ships
Plastic particles detected in gentoo feces

Plastic particles detected in gentoo feces

Explication

The study identified microplastics in gentoo feces, which shows ingestion at the food-chain level. The other options describe different settings that were not the basis of that finding.

12. What is black carbon?

A soot-like particle that warms climate by absorbing incoming solar radiation
A greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere for centuries
A type of ocean current that transports heat northward
A form of ice that increases surface reflectivity

A soot-like particle that warms climate by absorbing incoming solar radiation

Explication

Black carbon is described as a soot-like particle that warms climate by attracting heat and absorbing incoming solar radiation. It is not a long-lived greenhouse gas.

13. What does green colonialism describe in the Arctic context?

Climate projects that improve Indigenous control over land
Environmental initiatives that undermine Indigenous rights and livelihoods
A legal system for recognizing new territorial claims
A ban on all renewable energy projects in northern regions

Environmental initiatives that undermine Indigenous rights and livelihoods

Explication

Green colonialism refers to climate or environmental projects being used to infringe Indigenous land, livelihood, and cultural rights. It is not about strengthening Indigenous control or banning renewables.

14. What did CCAMLR Conservation Measure 91-04 establish?

A rule requiring permanent research stations in every sector
A framework for creating Antarctic marine protected areas
A treaty ending all commercial tourism in Antarctica
A ban on all krill fishing in Antarctic waters

A framework for creating Antarctic marine protected areas

Explication

Conservation Measure 91-04 created a framework for establishing MPAs in the CCAMLR area. It did not ban all krill fishing or tourism.

15. Which human security concern is most directly highlighted by the Arctic conditions in Inuit Nunangat?

Suicide rates far above the Canadian average
Universal access to higher education
A complete absence of public health services
Rapid population growth driven by migration

Suicide rates far above the Canadian average

Explication

The material states that suicide rates in Inuit Nunangat are repeatedly reported as 5 to 25 times higher than the Canadian average, especially among adolescents and young adults. The other options are not supported by the topic.

16. Which South American states are identified as having Antarctic Treaty Consultative Party status?

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay
Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Bolivia
Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana, and Suriname
Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Uruguay

Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay

Explication

The material lists six South American ATCPs: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay. The other choices mix in non-listed states.

17. What best describes the greenhouse effect in the Arctic climate context?

A seasonal wind pattern that brings warm air into polar regions
A chemical reaction that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
A warming process strengthened when greenhouse gases trap outgoing heat and alter the natural climate cycle
A cooling process caused by reflected sunlight bouncing off sea ice

A warming process strengthened when greenhouse gases trap outgoing heat and alter the natural climate cycle

Explication

The greenhouse effect is defined as warming that is strengthened when greenhouse gases trap part of Earth's outgoing heat. The other choices describe unrelated climate processes.

18. How can Arctic changes affect tropical monsoons?

They stop monsoons by increasing the Earth's rotation speed
They have no connection to tropical climate patterns
They strengthen monsoons only by increasing desert rainfall in Antarctica
They can correlate with abrupt tropical monsoon changes through weakening ocean circulation

They can correlate with abrupt tropical monsoon changes through weakening ocean circulation

Explication

The course checklist links Arctic change to abrupt tropical monsoon changes and AMOC weakening through increased freshwater from melting glaciers. The other options are unsupported.

19. Which impact is linked to uncontrolled Arctic tourism?

It prevents wildlife decline by reducing visitor numbers to zero
It can increase pollution and cause water shortages for local areas
It eliminates the need for ship and aircraft travel
It removes all oil spill risk from Arctic waters

It can increase pollution and cause water shortages for local areas

Explication

Uncontrolled tourism is described as raising pollution and creating water shortages in local areas. It can also contribute to wildlife decline, so the distractors are incorrect.

20. Which statement best matches the Kyoto Protocol?

It was a 1997 agreement that entered into force in 2005 to legally require emission reductions
It was a 2021 Chilean law on tourism and environmental assessment
It was a 2009 Antarctic agreement creating the first marine protected area
It was a scientific program launched in 1982 to study Antarctica

It was a 1997 agreement that entered into force in 2005 to legally require emission reductions

Explication

The Kyoto Protocol is identified as a 1997 international agreement that entered into force in 2005 with legal emission-reduction obligations. The other options refer to different topics and dates.

21. What is FPIC intended to do in projects affecting Indigenous territories?

Replace all local elections with expert panels
Give communities meaningful decision-making power
Speed up project approval by removing consultation
Transfer land ownership to outside corporations

Give communities meaningful decision-making power

Explication

FPIC is meant to give Indigenous communities meaningful decision-making power over projects affecting their territories and rights. The other options contradict that purpose.

22. What can happen when permafrost thaws?

Thermokarst landscapes can form as the ground subsides and changes
Tropical monsoons cease because all freshwater is removed
The Greenland Ice Sheet becomes permanently stable
The ocean salinity immediately disappears from Arctic waters

Thermokarst landscapes can form as the ground subsides and changes

Explication

The material states that permafrost thaw can form thermokarst landscapes. The other choices are unrelated or incorrect consequences.

23. Why does the Arctic warm faster than the global average?

Because greenhouse gases are absent over polar regions
Because the Arctic receives no sunlight during summer months
Because ocean water in the Arctic is always warmer than in the tropics
Because rapid Arctic warming is observed especially after 2005

Because rapid Arctic warming is observed especially after 2005

Explication

The material states that rapid Arctic warming is the observed pattern in which the Arctic warms faster than the global average, especially after 2005. The other options are not supported by the material.

24. What was the approximate growth in Antarctic tourism numbers from the 1990s to the 2023/24 season?

From about 50,000 visitors per year to about 122,000 visitors per year
From about 8,000 visitors per year to about 45,000 visitors per year
From about 8,000 visitors per year to about 124,000 visitors per year
From about 124,000 visitors per year to about 450,000 visitors per year

From about 8,000 visitors per year to about 124,000 visitors per year

Explication

IAATO data show tourism rising from about 8,000 per year in the 1990s to 124,000 in 2023/24. The 450,000 figure is a projection for 2034, not the current season.

Révisez avec les flashcards

Mémorisez les réponses avec 24 flashcards sur Arctic and Antarctic Climate and Governance.

Arctic climate change — key driver?

Global warming accelerates Arctic melting.

Greenhouse effect — process?

Traps outgoing heat, warms Earth.

Short-lived climate pollutants — examples?

Methane and black carbon.

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