EQ4- How Are Glaciated Landscpaes Used And Managed Today

Question 1

Explain Greenlands environmental value as a glacial landscape

Answer 1

Supports a fragile biodiversity of plants and large mammals : polar bears, artic fox and whale, diverse range of fish and birds.
Organisms and ecosystem offers important opportunities for scientific research
Icesheet contains 10% of global ice mass
Scientists can drill deep into ice cores to study past climate

Question 2

Explain Greenlands cultural value as a glacial landscape

Answer 2

Greenlands inuits still maintain their traditional lifestyle of hunting, fishing and herding
Inuit hunting culture is threatened by conservationists and environmental groups
Indigenous people are actively trying to pass on their traditional knowledge , skills and languages to the younger generation

Question 3

Explain the Yamal Peninsula, Russias environmental value as a periglacial landscape

Answer 3

Plays a role in worldwide food webs , birds
Permafrost has a value as it stores an immense amount of carbon and methane
Permafrost is expected to melt, stored gases will be released into the atmosphere

Question 4

Explain the Yamal Peninsula , Russias cultural value as a periglacial landscape

Answer 4

The Nenets understanding of the climate and ecosystem has enabled them to live sustainably
Reindeer provide the Nenets with transport, clothing , hides for tents , meat and income
The Nenets migrate seasonally to avoid the extreme cold winter and overgrazing

Question 5

Explain how glaciated and periglacial landscapes play an important role in the maintenance of the natural carbon cycle

Explain the role of positive feedback

Answer 5

Is a large carbon sink, more carbon is added then lost
Stores carbon and methane preventing these gases being released into the atmosphere.

A loss of snow/ice cover leads to decreased surface albedo leading to further global warming, amplification

Question 6

Explain how glaciated and periglacial landscapes play an important role in the maintenance of the biosphere (animal migration)

Answer 6

Is an important part of ecology as species health depends on migration
Species migrate North to periglacial landscapes as a summer home to breed and then south in the winter. Play an important role in food webs

Question 7

Explain how glaciated and periglacial landscapes play an important role in the maintenance of the climate system

Answer 7

Contribute towards global refrigeration.
The heat deficit of polar regions is balanced by atmospheric circulation and thermohaline circulation, moving heat towards the poles.
High albedo of landscapes surfaces reflects 90% of solar energy back into space.
Cooling effect on planet, regulating global temperatures

Question 8

Explain how glaciated and periglacial landscapes play an important role in the maintenance of the water cycle

Answer 8

Glaciated landscapes hold global ice volumes , if they melted sea levels would rise and cities like London and New York would go underwater
Periglacial landscapes thaw in summer and gradually release meltwater , a critical component in human water supply

Question 9

Explain how Avalanches are formed

How are they natural hazards which threat glaciated landscapes
Exemplification

Answer 9

An avalanche exists when stress exceeds strength of snow located on a slope
Results from two types of snow pack failure:
Loose snow which acts like dry sand, small amount slips out of place and then moves down slope
Slab avalanches: occurs when a layer of snow breaks away from a wel underlying layer

Avalanches path can be predicted but can cause a hazard due to their size, an avalanche in Peru killed 18000 people in 1970

Question 10

Explain how Lahars are formed

How is it a natural hazard for glaciated landscapes
Exemplification

Answer 10

Describe a mixture of water, mud and rock fragments flowing down the slopes of a volcano

These fragments can destroy areas and are a natural hazard, In 1985 volcanic activity caused glacier melting in Colombia, rushing 50km downstream and killing 23000 people instantly

Question 11

Explain how glacial outburst floods (Jökulhlaup) are formed

How are they a natural hazard (Exemplification)

Answer 11

Is a powerful flood caused by the sudden discharge of a subglacial or ice moraine dammed lake behind a moraine obstruction
Glacial outbursts can be triggered by:
Increased flotation of ice as water levels rise
Overflow and melting of an ice dam by CC or tectonic activity
Overtopping caused by a avalanche or landslide
Melting of ice within moraine and removal of fine sediment in moraine

Is a threat to areas tens to hundreds of kilometres away from its source , destroying properties, especially in the Alps

Question 12

What other natural hazards are there which can effect active a d relict glacial landscapes

Answer 12

Extreme cold temperatures
Thin soils
Fragile ecosystems
Seasonal extremes

Question 13

Explain how Farming in a glaciated landscapes can provide economic value

Exemplification

Answer 13

Within developing countries, like Bolivia, alpine and highland regions are dominated by subsistence farming, 70% of population, growing crops and rearing animals
In developed countries pastoral farming and livestock management takes place in line with the climate and weather patterns

Question 14

Explain how Forestry(silviculture) in glaciated landscapes provide economic value

Answer 14

Is the planting of trees, in areas where hill farming is a struggle, which are quick growing and to be used for softwood timber, wood pulp and paper

Question 15

Explain how mining and quarrying in a glaciated landscape provides economic value

Exemplification

Answer 15

Glacial erosion removes soil and vegetation to expose economically valuable rock. In lowland areas, outwash deposits provide a source of sand and gravel for the building industry

Question 16

Explain how hydroelectricity in a glaciated landscape provides economic value

Exemplification

Answer 16

Is a major use of water derived from glaciers, a renewable source of energy

Benefited countries like Switzerland who have over 500 HEP stations and produces 70% of its electricity

Question 17

Explain how tourism in a glaciated landscape provides economic value

Exemplification

Answer 17

Visitors have been attracted to the scenery of active and relict glacial landscapes and also the outdoor activities possible: walking, climbing , skiing and mountaineering.

Mer de glace, Alps has a cable car for glacial viewing and hiking to ice caves

Question 18

Explain why footpath trampling by tourists is a human threat to glaciated landscapes

(Exemplification)

Answer 18

Puts fragile moss mats at risk and can trigger avalanches on ski slopes

1999 avalanche in the Chamonix valley killed 12 tourists

Question 19

Explain why human induced climate change is a threat to glaciated landscapes

Answer 19

Increases ablation and increases flood risk, with greater discharge and poorer water quality

Question 20

Explain why pollution caused by humans is a threat to glaciated landscapes

Exemplification

Answer 20

Involves litter, fuel spills and vehicle emissions which damage land based ecosystems and pollutes habitats for marine wildlife. Involves water, air and visual pollution

2500 migrating penguins were put at risk when a ship holding 50,000 gallons of diesel sank, leading to a oil spill

Question 21

Explain why overfishing is a human threat to glaciated landscapes

Exemplification

Answer 21

Reduces the ecosystem balance, disrupts the food chain and leads to the endangering of species

In Antartica bird species were cut in nets for fishing and drowned

Question 22

Explain how construction is a human threat to glaciated landscapes

Answer 22

Involves infrastructure, hotels and ski lifts which disrupt the natural migratory patterns and lead to noise pollution. Removal of natural vegetation takes place reducing the natural protection from avalanches and glacial outbursts.

Question 23

Explain how resource exploitation is a human threat to glaciated landscapes

Exemplification

Answer 23

Exploitation of metals, fossil fuels and minerals fuels the melting of ice , leading to rising sea levels and destroying of habitats

Companies from the USA , Russia and Norway are trying to drill into areas of melting ice in the Artic to extract large stores of natural gas and oil

Question 24

Why are rising global temperatures the biggest threat to ice masses

Answer 24

Higher temperatures lead to a negative mass balance and shrinking glaciers, ice caps and Ice sheets

Periglacial areas will experience melting permafrost and dramatic changes to the ecosystem and biodiversity of the tundra

Question 25

What is the current condition of the worlds glaciers

Exemplification

Answer 25

The majority of the worlds glaciers are retreating

95% of Himalayan glaciers are in rapid retreat
Areas in Peru and Bolivia covered by glaciers shrank by 25% over the last 30 years

Question 26

What are the consequences of global warming on the hydrological cycle (5)

Exemplification

Answer 26

Will reduce water supply to rivers - western china has 350 million farmers dependent on water supplied from the shrinking Tibetan plateau
Increased flood risk if summer ice melt increases, increases river discharge
Low meltwater levels limit HEP dam operation
Low meltwater levels fail to flush rivers clean, leads to high water pollution and lower water quality
Changes in sediment yield of glacial meltwater streams

Question 27

State the stakeholders involved in managing the threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 27

International Governmental organisations (IGO’s)
National and Local governments
Native people
Tourists and visitors
Local businesses
Transnational corporations (TNC’s)
Global, national and local pressure groups

Question 28

Explain international governmental organisations (IGO’s) aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 28

Aim to promote international corporation , including protection of the natural environment to achieve global sustainability

Question 29

Explain local and national governments aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 29

Aim to establish appropriate management strategies to balance economic, social and environmental concern

Question 30

Explain native people’s aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 30

Depend on the natural environment for food, shelter, clothing and transport. Have deep spiritual and cultural links with the natural environment

Question 31

Explain tourists and visitors aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 31

Require infrastructure for travel and accommodation to enjoy the scenery, wildlife or recreational activities

Question 32

Explain local businesses (farming, fishing, skiing) aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 32

Meed to use the local economic resources to maintain livelihood and quality of life, due to few alternatives

Question 33

Explain transnational corporations (TNC’s) aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 33

Aim to utilise economic resources to maximise profits and meet the needs of their shareholders, industries and customers

Question 34

Explain global, national and local pressure groups aim as stakeholders in managing threats to glaciated landscapes

Answer 34

Try to influence public policy in interest of a particular case, to protect fragile glacial landscapes or to allow resource exploitation

Question 35

Explain total protection (no exploitation) as a management approach to glaciated landscapes

List the stakeholders that have this approach

Answer 35

Approach is to completely conserve the natural environment with the only form of exploitation being scientific research and regulated tourism. Most feasible in remote locations which are sparsely populated

Native people
Global, national and local pressure groups

Question 36

Explain sustainable exploitation as a management approach to glaciated landscapes

List the stakeholders that have this approach

Answer 36

Approach aims to find a balance between the need for resource exploitation and economic growth, and the need to preserve the natural environment. Takes into account the interests of all stakeholders to reduce conflict

National and local governments
Tourists and visitors
IGO’s

Question 37

Explain Do nothing (total exploitation) as a management approach to glaciated landscapes

List the stakeholders that have this approach

Answer 37

Approach is for maximum economic exploitation without preserving the natural environment. Is the preferred approach when there are large resources of metal, minerals or fossil fuels. Causes conflict with conservationists

Question 38

Explain the Antarctic treaty as an approach to managing glaciated landscapes

Answer 38

Is an example of total protection, do nothing approach
An international agreement allowing scientific research and prohibiting any exploitation of antarctic mineral resources
Treaty recognises tourism, it is regulated with tourism companies needing permits to enter

Question 39

Explain the alpine convention as a management approach to glaciated landscapes

Answer 39

Is an example of a sustainable exploitation approach
Involves an international treaty between alpine countries (in the alps) and the EU to protect the natural environment while promoting economic development , balancing the needs of 14 million residents and 120 million tourists
Consists of a number of protocols to achieve sustainability

Question 40

Explain the sustainable ski resort in Zermatt, Switzerland as a management approach to glaciated landscapes

Answer 40

A popular ski resort with other 2 million visitors a year and 6000 residents
Has a huge demand for energy and water resources and threatens environmental degradation, noise pollution and irreplaceable damage to the landscape
Now markets itself as a sustainable ski resort : car free with bikes and on foot travel encouraged, buildings designed to reduce energy consumption, solar energy and geothermal energy used in buildings
The owners of the resort have invested 1million swiss francs into environmental projects and 16 areas and forests are under total protection as wildlife sanctuaries

Question 41

Explain the Yamal Peninsula, Russia as a management approach to glaciated landscapes

Answer 41

Total protection, no exploitation approach with native people using the land and reindeer for transport, clothing, hides for tents, meat and income

Question 42

Explain the Alpine convention agreement as a international method to reduce the effects of climate change on glaciated landscapes

Give examples in alpine countries (5)

Answer 42

Occurred to make the region a model for tackling climate change, with a number of mitigation initiatives to reduce carbon emissions

In Slovenia - Subsidies for people using renewable energy sources
In Embrun, France - seminars for people in eco-construction to reduce carbon emissions
In Gap, France - buses are free for their 39,000 residents
In Arosa, Switzerland - a scheme to offset the carbon emissions from tourists and free use of electric bikes, buses, ski lifts and cable cars
In Bavaria, Germany- reservoirs to store floodwater, restoration of wetlands and afforestation schemes to tackle flooding