ee.1 The characteristics of extreme environments

Unit Contents

• ee.1.1 Global distribution of extreme environments
• ee.1.2 Hot and arid extreme environments
• ee.1.3 Cold / high altitude extreme environments
• ee.1.4 Changing distribution of extreme environments over time

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Geographic inquiry: Why some places are considered to be extreme environments

• Global-scale distribution of cold and high altitude environments (polar, glacial areas, periglacial areas, high mountains in non-polar places) and hot arid environments (hot deserts and semi-arid areas)
• Relief and climatic characteristics that make environments extreme, including unreliability and intensity of rainfall in arid environments and the risk of flash floods
• How relief, climate, human discomfort, inaccessibility, and remoteness present challenges for human habitation and resource development
  • Detailed examples for illustrative purposes
• The changing distribution of extreme environments over time, including the advance and retreat of glaciers and natural desertification

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