Glaciation enq 4 (use and manage of landscapes) Flashcards
What are the eight considered values of polar ecosystems identified by the millennium ecosystem assessment
fisheries
genetic resources
carbon sequestration
aesthetic value
wild foods
fresh water
climate regulation
spiritual value
What 4 things do relict environments offer
farming
mining/quarrying
hydroelectricity
tourism
What 4 things do active environments offer
spiritual value
maintain gene pool of wild organisms
sanctuary for bird and animals, ecosystems
scientific research
What is the economic value of farming in glacial environments
with examples
- indigenous populations can live off subsistence farming in developing nations where transport links are poor
- e.g. 70% people in Bolivia live in high andes and need to grow stable foods
- pastoral farming in developed countries
What is the economic value of forestry in glacial environments
with examples
- commercial forestry in upland Lake District, due to difficulty of farming profitability in these conditions
What is the economic value of mining/quarrying in glacial environments
with examples
- erosion can expose valuable rocks, mineral deposits and ore
- Lake District - metamorphic, igneous rock allowed for lead and slate mining
- lowland outwash plains can be sued for gravel/sand quarrying
What is the economic value of HEP in glacial environments
with examples
- Norway and new Zealand get 90% power form HEP mainly due to natural riven lakes/dammed reservoirs in glaciated valleys
What is the economic value of tourism in glacial environments
with examples
- skiing, alps and rockies
- mountaineering, alps and rockies
- climbing, Lake District and north Wales
- walking, lake district
- there has been a huge increase in tourism over last 30 yrs in active and relict glaciated environments
What are 5 economically valuable things within a glacial landscape
HEP
tourism
forestry
mining/quarrying
farming
What is the ecological and environment value of glacial landscapes
- support life systems
- 75% freshwater locked up in ice
- eroded valleys provide natural hollows for reservoirs
- valuable source of irrigation
- extensive permafrost and trend peat can act as carbon sinks
What is the main issue with tourism in glacial landscapes
To ensure that tourism is managed so the benefits do not outweigh the costs, balance between protecting our environment and allowing people to enjoy it
What are four human impacts on glacial environments
- acid rain
- oil spills
- toxic waste from coal mining in Svalbard
- Artict national wildlife refugee under threat in usa
high andes case study
tropical andean glacial retreat
- run off from tropical glaciers plays a critical role in mountain ecosystem integrity
- run off is also an important element of water budget, helps supply drinking water, HEP and needs of ecosystems
what percentage have tropical glaciers declined by since 1970
16%
true or false, the cotacachi glacier in ecuador has completely disappeared
true
high andes case study
what have are the short term impacts of tropical andean glacier retreat
rapid melting has led to unsustainable net increase in SRO and now there is an issue of falling biodiversity and declines in agriculture and tourism with many waterless streams
high andes case study
true or false bolivian urban centres rely on glacial meltwater for around 20% of their drinking supply
false, 40%
high andes case study social and cultural costs (3)
- andean mountains are often held as religious icons by the people
- old methods of farming will need to be changed
- people will need to adapt to new environments
high andes case study
economic costs (4)
- increased cost of electricity
- potential rationing of supplies
- impact of agricultural communities who depend on water
- increased cost of building reservoirs for drinking water
high andes case study - huaraz peru 3 key facts
- rising temps and changes in water supply over last 40 yrs have killed fish stocks and decimated crops
- home to 70% of worlds tropical glaciers
- 18 mountain glaciers are critical to the regions water sources for drinking, irrigation and electricity
what are four hazards which pose a risk for active/relict landscapes
- avalanches
- rockfalls
- debris sliding
- flooding
what is an avalanche
a rapid flow of snow down hill or mountainside
what are the three main types of avalanches
- powder
- dry flow
- wet flow