EQ4: How are glacial landscapes used and managed today Flashcards
What are the significant values of glaciated landscapes?
They provide scientific research, tourist locations, wilderness and biodiversity, recreation, and have spiritual and religious importance.
e.g Andean glaciers help with agriculture, source of HEP, source of drinking water and have spiritual value
How do attitudes towards glaciated landscapes vary?
Some acknowledge cultural and environmental values and support preservation, while others exploit these areas for economic gain.
What economic opportunities do glaciated landscapes provide?
Farming, mining, hydroelectric power, tourism, and forestry.
This leads to job opportunities in these sectors.
How many tourists visit the Chamonix Valley each year?
(in the French Alps)
5 million tourists per year.
What is the impact of the tourist industry in the Chamonix Valley?
Creates 2500 seasonal jobs and increases demand for railway companies and ski-lift engineers.
What unique biodiversity is found in glaciated landscapes?
Tundra ecosystems with no trees and permanently frozen soils, supporting endemic species adapted to the conditions.
What are the current threats to glaciated landscapes?
Natural hazards like glacial floods and avalanches, as well as human-induced threats such as tourism and climate change.
How can tourism impact glaciated landscapes?
Tourists can trigger avalanches, causing injuries and deaths.
For instance, the 1999 avalanche in the Chamonix valley killed 12 tourists.
What is the greatest threat to glaciated landscapes?
Climate change, which interferes with the mass balance of glaciers, speeds up melting, and increases flood risks.
How does climate change disrupt the hydrological cycle in glaciated areas?
As glaciers melt, rivers will flood and eventually will run dry.
- increased rainfall from warmer oceans-> change in weather patterns
What human activities pose threats to glaciated landscapes?
Tourism, reservoir construction, and urbanization.
What are the consequences of human activity on glaciated landscapes?
Degradation of fragile ecology, destruction of local species’ wellbeing, soil erosion, trampling, landslides, and deforestation.
How does deforestation affect the resilience of glaciated landscapes?
It reduces interception, making avalanches or floods more likely to reach populated areas.
What is a growing industry aimed at reducing the effects of tourism on cold environments?
Sustainable tourism
Charities like WWF promote sustainable alpine tourism to protect fragile areas.
Which charity promotes sustainable tourism in alpine environments?
WWF
WWF stands for World Wildlife Fund.
What is the maximum number of people allowed on smaller cruise ships in polar extreme tourism?
100 people
This limit helps manage the impact on cold environments.
What must cruise ships have to land in cold environments?
A permit
Regulations are strict to protect the ecosystem.
What is checked on tourists’ shoes before entering cold environments?
Foreign objects
This measure prevents contamination of the ecosystem.
What type of law protects cold environments in some areas?
Access and construction restrictions
Examples include areas of permafrost in Alaska.
What international agreement has banned mining in Antarctica?
Antarctic Treaty
The Madrid Protocol complements this by providing additional protections.
What is implemented in polar environments to protect the ecosystem from fishing?
Extensive fishing quotas and monitoring systems
These measures aim to prevent overfishing.
What military activity is banned in polar environments?
All military activity
This ban helps to maintain the integrity of these fragile ecosystems.
What is a major global concern affecting cold environments?
Climate change
It poses significant threats to these ecosystems.
What strategies are in place globally to address climate change?
Mitigation strategies
e.g. frameworks like CITES and UNESCO
These aim to reduce the catastrophic effects of climate change.
True or False: There is much that can be done directly to stop the effects of climate change on cold environments.
False
While direct action is limited, global cooperation is encouraged.
Fill in the blank: The _______ Protocol is associated with the Antarctic Treaty to protect the environment.
Madrid
This protocol adds layers of protection for Antarctica.
What are the climate change tipping points?
- a 2°C temp increase
- 450ppm CO² in atmosphere
- melting of Greenland ice
