Distinctive landscapes Flashcards
What gives a landscape its distinctive appearance?
A combination of features and landforms
Identify examples of distinctive landscapes of the UK
- upland & lowland areas
- river & coastal landscapes
Define upland
A landscape that is hilly or mountainous
Define lowland
An area of land that is lower than the land around it
Give a specific example of a distinctive landscape
Snowdonia
How does the geology in Snowdonia make it a distinctive landscape?
- diverse upland landscapes shaped by volcanic eruptions & extensive glaciations
- mountain range that drops quickly to the sea
How does the land use in Snowdonia make it a distinctive landscape?
- landscape in many areas has been shaped by slate mining
- large areas of agriculture & forestry
How does the vegetation in Snowdonia make it a distinctive landscape?
- diverse range of both plant & animal life due to the varied physical environments & habitats found
- unique and rare species
How do the people & culture in Snowdonia make it a distinctive landscape?
- welsh language is widely spoken
- rich cultural history with many World Heritage sites
How are physical landscapes affected by human activity?
They can have positive & negative impacts on the natural environment
Give a positive impact of human activity on landscapes
Visitors to the countryside spend money, contributing to the rural economy
Give a negative impact of human activity on landscapes
Visitor pressure can negatively affect the landscape and local communities
Define visitor pressure
Tourism increases number of people → increased impact on landscape, resources & services
Define honeypot site
A place of special interest that attracts tourists
Define carrying capacity
The maximum population size that an environment can sustain
Define environmental challenges
Problems caused by human use of the natural landscape or resources
Define national park / Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
An area which is protected because of its beautiful countryside, wildlife & cultural heritage
Give examples of the impact of human activity on Snowdonia national park
- increased visitors →congestion on narrow roads
- second home ownership →house prices increase
- at honeypot sites, shops providing essential goods are replaced by souvenir stores
Why do AONBs need to be managed?
They are visited by a large number of people →damage to natural landscape
How can AONBs be managed?
Visitors need to be managed to minimise impact on landscape & repair any damage caused
What strategies are used to manage the Gower & Brecon Beacons?
- management of visitors in the gower AONB
- footpath maintenance in the brecon beacons national park
How does managing visitors in the Gower help to maintain the landscape?
- designated footpaths provide access for visitors & also protect sensitive areas
- clearly marked car parks reduce parking on grass→preventing damage & congestion
How does footpath maintenance in the Brecon Beacons national park help to maintain it?
- footpaths are replaced with hard-wearing materials such as stone
- volunteer recruitment help to repair footpaths & walls that have been damaged
