Lesson 11 Flashcards
What percent of the global population lives in mountains?
10-12% - usually in developing countries
Where are most of the world’s mountain populations located?
Asia, followed by South and central America
Why do mountain people migrate? What are the effects of these migrations?
Most mountain communities are located in developing countries. Mountain people will migrate to lower elevations to find jobs so they can provide for their families.
This can alleviate stress to mountain ecosystems, but can also generate social stress around divided families and communities.
The shift from low to high socioeconomic development
Historically, why were mountains ideal for hunting and gathering?
Because they provided a variety of food types within a relatively short distance. (High ecological diversity)
True or false: historically, mountain peoples have used both seasonal and permanent settlements.
True
Where are alkaline lakes found and what are they used for?
North of the Himalayan mountains as well as in the Atacama desert. Used for the production of salt. Sources of evaporative salt.
How far back does industrial silver and gold mining date in the Andes?
15th century Incans to present.
In North America, what was the principle industrial activity brought people to the western mountains in the late 19th century?
Mining
What industry primarily supported the mountain cultures in Appalachia?
Coal mining.
What mountain peoples are trying to retain the hunter gatherer lifestyle, despite influences from the outside world?
Kalimantan and Borneo
What are the consequences of mining in the mountains?
1 - resulted in many abandoned settlements/ghost towns
2 - exploitation of indigenous mountain peoples (despite giving them jobs)
3 - Left toxic environments/hard on ecosystems and animals
What/when did they begin mining in Cerro Rico, Bolivia. How did this effect the mountain?
Large scale silver mining began there in the 16th century - the mountain was though to be hundreds of meters higher before this.
What is the world’s largest copper mine?
Bingham Canyon in Utah USA - entire mountain turned into a pit - over a KM deep and 5Km wide
The mountains of Peru, Bolivia and Equador produced what forms of agriculture and goods?
Potatoes, quinoa, cocaine and tobacco
Archeo-botanical evidence in the Zagros mountains of Iran suggest what?
Evidence of crops like wheat and barley and legumes nearly 10 000 years ago.
By how much can quinoa account for family farming income in South America?
As much as 80 percent
Why do mountainous highlands in east Africa have tremendous potential as farming areas?
1 - rainfall is higher and more reliable than in the low lands
2- soils are fertile
Why are mountains good places for trade and artisan ship?
Valleys and passes place mountain peoples as intermediates between economies, making them good spots to stop, trade or purchase artisan ship.
What are examples of mountain trade routes?
1 - High passes in the alps (connecting northern Italy with Central Europe)
2 - trans Himalayan trade routes connecting china with Central Asia (over Tibetan plateau)
What materials are mountain artesian pieces crafted from?
Wood, metal and wool
What industry is globally known from the Jura Mountains?
International clock industry
Define the phenomenon of Amenity Migration
People who move to mountainous communities for the environmental and social benefits
- proponents argue that this brings affluence to mountain regions
- opponents argue that this causes unstable economic growth and cultural alienation and increased environmental stress
Globally, how many mountain regions are protected in some way?
20 percent (parks, reserves ect..)
What were the primary focus of the protected area movement? What was the consequence of implementing these protected areas?
Mountains! However, this meant that local peoples were often excluded from their homeland (aka national parks)
How does the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) define protected areas?
An area of land and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal or other effective means.
When is the modern concept of a trans boundary peace park originate? What range did it originate on?
In the 1924 Krakow Protocol which aimed to resolve a lingering post-war boundary dispute between Poland and Czechoslovakia. Later this area manifested into an official UNESCO biosphere reserve under bi-national management.
This range is called the Tatra Range
What was the FIRST designated international peace park?
The Waterton-glacier International peace park, which was created as a union between the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park in the US in 1932!
When was Watertan National park created and why?
Created in 1895, this was the fourth park created in the Canadian national park system. Is was created as a result of advocacy work by local ranchers - wanted a conserved and recreational area.
What are four examples that display the increased recognition and importance of Transboundary Mountains?
1 - Alpine Convention in European Alps
2 - the Albertine Rift Valley in East Africa
3 - the Great Altay Transboundary Biosphere Research in Asia
4 - the St Elias Mountains in North America
What is the 1991 Alpine convention?
An international treaty between countries that border the European alps as well as the European Union for ensuring the sustainable development and protection of the alps.
How many tourists visit the European alps?
120 million every year.
How large is the geographic area of the alpine convention?
Over 190 000 square kilometres
Under the convention, member states have adopted specific measures in several areas. What are they?
1 - population and culture
2- air pollution
3 - soil conservation
4 - water management
5 - conservation of nature
6 - mountain farming
7 - tourism
8 - energy
The Albertine Rift is one of the most biodiverse places on the African continent. What stats showcase how diverse it is?
1 - over half africas birds
2 - 40 percent africas mammals
3 - 20 percent of amphibians and plants
Contains more vertebrae species than anywhere else on the continent
What region in Africa is known to conserve the most threatened and endemic species?
What species is best known in this region?
The Albertine Rift - making it a biodiversity hotspot
Home of the mountain gorilla
What is the human population density in the Albertine Rift?
Very high, with over 1000 people/square kilometre in some areas
What factors pose challenges for conservation in the Albertine rift?
1 - high population density
2 - high levels of poverty
3 - high levels of conflict (between countries) - civil wars and whatnot
4 - high levels of biodiversity
When was the Albertine Rift Conservation Program Established? And by Whom?
The year 2000 - by the wildlife conservation society and the national parks and protected area authorities
The Altay Mountains span the borders of which four countries?
Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and China
What is the main challenge to conservation in the Altay Mountains?
1 - the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources
2 - unregulated expansion of tourism
3 - climate change
What is the largest internationally protected area on the planet, outside of Antarctica?
The St. Elias mountains - comprised of four national parks:
1 - Wrangell-St. Elias
2 - Kluane
3 - Tatshenshini-Alsek
4 - Glacier Bay
- at the border of Yukon, Alaska and BC
When were the St. Elias mountains declared a UNESCO world heritage site?
1994
How big is the protected St. Elias region?
Over 132 000 square kilometres
- entire region is techtonically active: mountains are still rising
What is Parks Canada’s mandate?
To protect and and present nationally significant examples of Canadas natural and cultural heritage and foster public understanding appreciation and enjoyment in ways that ensure their ecological and commemorative integrity for present and future generations.
Who and when did they establish the first national parks service?
Canada - 1911 :) (Parks Canada)
How many lease-holder commercial operations exist within jasper and Banff national parks?
550 - causing unique developmental pressures
What percent of Banff and Jasper national parks are declared wilderness areas, with strong limits on development and use?
95%
Define a Wicked Problem
A problem that is difficult to solve because of incomplete, contradictory and changing requirements. (Often difficult to recognize in the present)
- something that may have several potential solutions with no obvious best one and ones that may never completely be resolved
What is the goal regarding grizzly bear research for the Canadian Pacific Railway, Parks Canada and the University of Alberta?
What steps have been taken to achieve this goal?
To reduce grizzly mortality on railway tracks
1 - The railway company has spent 20 million dollars to retrofit it’s grain cars, reducing the amount of spillage by 80 percent since 2006
2 - Parks Canada used strategic fire operations to give the bears berry-rich habitat away from the tracks
3 - both parks Canada and the railway are testing the use of electric mats and fencing to deter bears from coming near the tracks
What measures have been taken by parks Canada to reduce the amount of interactions between wildlife and humans along the trans-Canada highway?
44 crossing structures (bridges for wildlife, culverts)
Over 97 km of fencing
By how much have have the number of wildlife vehicle collisions been reduced for all species?
How much have they been reduced for deer and elk alone?
80% (all species)
96% (for deer and elk)
Who developed the animal crossing structure model?
Who has the longest running monitoring program of this type in he world?
Parks Canada
What species prefer large underpass structures?
Grizzlies, Moose and wolves (prefer wide open structures)
What species favour small underpass structures?
Cougars and Black bears
What type of fencing is used to stop animals from accessing the highway?
Mesh fencing with a buried apron - meaning the bottom of the fence is buried to stop small carnivore wildlife from getting underneath
How many backcountry huts are throughout the southern alps of New Zealand?
Over 1500 (department of conservation owns 950)
Who owns the largest network of backcountry huts in North America?
The alpine club of Canada
Where is the Louise and Richard Guy hut located?
What makes this hut environmentally friendly
Yoho National Park (western side of the Wapta Icefeild)
- good insulation
- powered by solar and wind energy
- usage is restricted to winter months as to not disturb sensitive grizzly bear populations
What key strategies were identified to achieve the goal of ending political and economic marginalization in mountain areas?
1 - Mountains need to be recognized as equal partners in mountain development
This can be achieved by…
1 - decentralization
2 - local institution building
3 - recognition of local rights to natural resources
4 - establishment of collaborative networks to give mountians a voice.
What 7 key principles were identified during the mountain agenda by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2002) for mountain policy development? (Principles of sustainable development)
1 - Recognize mountain areas as important and specific areas of development
2 - Compensate for environmental goods and services provided to lowlands
3 - Diversity into other livelihood options that could provide benefits to communities
4 - Take advantage of local potential for innovation
5 - Preserve cultural change without the loss of identity
6 - Conserve mountain ecosystems and its early warning functions
7 - Institutionalize sustainable development of mountain areas
What actions can be taken to reduce the human impact in mountain environments?
1 - Respect for all living things
2 - Pack it in, pack it out
3 - Stick to Durable surfaces
4 - Take only photos, leave only footprints
5 - Be fire wise
