Cold Regions
In
Global Environmental Change
Introductions
Basic concepts
Definitions
What constitutes a region?
(Revisiting Geo 105)
• Formal
– Some characteristic is homogeneous
• Functional
– Characteristic has a central node, diminishes with
distance
• Vernacular
– Perceptual region, a region that exists as part of a
people’s cultural identity
Why is the concept of a region
useful?
• Can distinguish between areas – helps to
understand process similarities and differences
• Understand how differences influence
interactions between regions
• Understand how processes and differences
affect rates of diffusion
• Explain processes through understanding
interactions across space
What kind of regions are cold
regions?
• Formal
– Homogeneous physical processes, strongly influenced by
freezing temperatures.
– Latitudes higher than 66.5°; altitudes above snow line.
• Functional
– Extent influenced by a particular process (e.g., influence of
arctic sea ice, extent of vegetation of non-arboreal species).
• Vernacular
– Inuit and Saami perceptions of “home”, “hunting grounds”
– Southerners perception of “The Great White North”.
• Can we map cold regions?
– Yes and no
– Depends on definition…
Where?
• High Latitude
– Arctic
– Antarctic
• High Altitude
– alpine
Arctic
Arctic
Antarctica
West
Antarctica
East
Antarctica
Space shuttle view of the Andes
Space shuttle view of the Himalayas
Geographic Delineation
• Latitude
– 66 33’ N and S
– http://www.athropolis.com/sun-fr.htm
• Weaknesses
Eagle Summit, Alaska – 66.5ºN, March
Tromsø, Norway – 69.5ºN, September
Other Definitions
• Snowline
• Vegetation
– Tundra-forest ecotone,
related to potential
evapotranspiration
(Thornthwaite, 1948)
• Climate
– Koppen (1936), 10°C
July isotherm
• Permafrost
Other Definitions (2)
• Snowline
• Vegetation
– Tundra-forest ecotone,
related to potential
evapotranspiration
(Thornthwaite, 1948)
• Climate
– Koppen (1936), 10°C
July isotherm
• Permafrost
Vegetation of CircumArctic
Source: http://maps.grida.no/arctic/
Other Definitions (3)
• Snowline
• Vegetation
– Tundra-forest ecotone,
related to potential
evapotranspiration
(Thornthwaite, 1948)
• Climate
– Koppen (1936), 10°C July
isotherm
• Permafrost
Other Definitions (4)
• Snowline
• Vegetation
– Tundra-forest ecotone,
related to potential
evapotranspiration
(Thornthwaite, 1948)
• Climate
– Koppen (1936), 10°C
July isotherm
• Permafrost
Permafrost
Distribution
Why or why not study cold
environments?
• Sparsely populated?
• US has few interests?
• Doesn’t matter if climate changes there?
• I’ve never visited and never plan to?
Why?
(from an entirely americentric viewpoint!)
• Sparsely populated?
– True, but how important are cold regions to the global and US economy
(addresses point 2 also?)
– Where does most US territory oil come from?
– Where are the most strategic military sites (particularly during the cold war)?
– What’s the shortest route between the U.S. and Asia and Russia?
– Where does New York State buy much of its electric power from?
– Where are many of the largest world coal and mineral reserves?
• US has few interests?
– Alaska is primarily in a cold environment. Its economy and population are
part of US interest. AK is one of the country’s largest oil producing states.
– Ski industry is based in cold environments. Skiing is a multimillion $
industry.
– Mountain tourism, tourism in Alaska, all bring in foreign exchange.
Why?
• I’ve never visited and never plan to?
– What’s wrong with learning about places
you’ve never been? It might help alleviate
all sorts of international conflict if citizens
were more “global” in their knowledge.
• Doesn’t matter if climate changes
there?
– Well, actually. . . That’s what this course is
really all about. The answer to this question
will be discussed throughout the semester,
with the conclusion that, yes, it does matter
if climate changes there.