Theme 1 Changing Physical and Human Landscapes Flashcards
What makes landscapes distinctive?
Landscapes are made up of different physical and human features. How these features combine is what makes a landscape distinctive
Upland definition
A landscape that is hilly or mountainous
Welsh Upland examples
Brecon Beacons NP, Snowdonia NP
Lowland definiton
An area that is lower (closer to sea level) than the land around it
Welsh lowland examples
Gwent levels
Topography definition
The arrangement of the land and its physical and human features
Other landscapes and examples
Coastal landscape- Pembrokeshire NP
River landscape- River Severn
Factors that make Welsh landscapes distinctive
- land use
- geology
- vegetation
- people and culture
What makes Snowdonia distinctive (consider 4 factors)
- Geology – The mountains have been formed by extensive glaciation, forming deep U-shaped valleys and high mountains e.g. Snowdon
- Land Use – Mostly sheep farming, slate mining and forestry in the past. National Park status – natural environment is preserved – attracts thousands of tourists each year
- Vegetation – Vast array of habitats sustains biodiversity (e.g. marshes, mountains, deciduous forests). Large areas of old deciduous forest
- People and Culture – Welsh language widely spoken, lots of Welsh history – World Heritage Sites
Positive impact of visitors on distinctive physical landscapes
Visitors bring benefits to rural economy by spending; aids development of area
Negative imp
Visitor pressure definition
The increased impact on landscapes resources and services of an area due to tourism
Honeypot site definition
A place of special interest, attracts tourists
Carrying capacity definition
The maximum population size and environment can sustain
this is likely to be exceeded in honeypot site, posing environmental challenges
Positive impact of human activity in Snowdonia
- Investment and tourism industry creates jobs, diversifying, farming economy
- Increasing rural income from high numbers of tourists
Negative impact of human activity in Snowdonia
Congestion
footpath erosion
litter
shop is providing essential goods are replaced by souvenir stores in honeypot sites
Welsh speaking community diluted by incoming non Welsh speakers
house prices rising due to increase in second home ownership
Ways of managing visitors in distinctive landscapes
Designated footpath, provide access and protect sensitive areas
Clearly marked car parks reduces parking elsewhere
Ways of repairing damage and distinctive landscapes?
Footpath is repaired with stone carried by helicopters. Once rebuilt vegetation is replaced (Brecon Beacons)
Necessities in managing landscapes
Visitors must be managed
Damage must be repaired
Abrasion rivers
Semmens and material carried by the river, hitting the riverbed and banks, wearing them away
Hydraulic action rivers
The force of the water hitting the river bed and banks compressing the air in the gaps of the soil and rock, causing material to be broken and washed away
Solution rivers
The slightly acidic river water dissolves Chalk and limestone
Attrition rivers
Erosion of the river bedload
Stones carried by river, collide and breakdown, becoming rounder and smaller
Bedload definition
Material bounced or rolled (transported) along the river bed
