Human Activity
Glaciated landscapes attract a range of human activities such as:
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Farming and Forestry Valleys that were once laden with ice have become popular sites for sheep farming. Other farming is relatively impossible as the cold, wet climate and the steep slopes make arable farming impossible. Lower down in the valley, where the valley floor is much harder and flatter, sites are often used for the rearing of dairy cattle. However, sheep farmers tend to have low incomes and therefore they usually tend to set up farm shops as another means of income. Farming such as this can be seen in the Pennines in England, or Snowdonia in Wales. Humans have also made use of highland areas by planting conifers as a timber source. |
Hydroelectric Power (HEP) stations Highland areas are the wettest regions found across the UK. The valleys are perfect for the creation of dams for water storage and the generation of HEP. Hydroelectric power stations use the kinetic energy created by the movement of water downstream to power the electrical generators. |
Use the following link to find out and make note of the advantages and disadvantages of human activity in highland areas ----->
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Tourism
Glaciated highlands are becoming increasingly popular to tourism. The picturesque sceneries, supported by the stunning lakes and mountains, have promoted activities such as walking, biking, climbing and camping.
IMPACTS OF TOURISM
Positives:
Creates more jobs for communities boosting the local economy. Puts an area on the map, potentially encouraging more people to visit Attracts both national and international tourists. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the UK. |
Negatives:
Footpaths get eroded and vegetation gets trampled. Farmers become aggravated when gates are left open, especially if they have cattle in certain fields. Dogs also tend to scare the cattle when being walked. Areas are subject to increasing amounts of pollution as many tourists get to the highlands by car. This also congests the local areas. House prices are extremely high in these areas. This is because tourists like to buy properties and use them as a second home or a place to escape to. Littering is a huge problem. Litter is an eyesore and can be harmful for the wild animals. |
Managing tourists:
Areas popular to tourism tend to put certain policies in place aiming to minimise the impact humans are having on the local environment.
For example:
- fines may be put in place if people are caught littering,
- planning permission to build in National Parks can be strict,
- public transport is encouraged to minimise car use,
- bike hire centres may be located around parks to also reduce the amount of people using cars,
- Countryside Code posters put in place to remind tourists about closing gates, keeping dogs on leads and not to litter.
Task Choosing one of the following highland areas: - Snowdonia, Wales - Lake District, England Create a case study that indicates the types of human activity present in the local area. You must include: - A map of where the highland is located in the UK. - The advantages and disadvantages of the human activity. - What measures have been put into place to protect and conserve the area. |
Use the search bar to find information on your chosen case study. |