Topic 2 - Glaciation EQ4

Question 1

Outline a glaciated landscape in the UK?

Answer 1

No active glaciers - Lake distinct is a relict glaciated landscape

• 18,000 years ago, the upland areas of the Lake District were shaped by valley glaciers which eroded the rock creating distinct landscapes (u-shaped valleys, ribbon lakes and corries)

Question 2

Outline the opportunities present in the Lake District?

Answer 2

• 16 million visitors arrive every year, attracted by dramatic scenery and well-developed tourists facilities
• local economy benefits greatly from tourism - visitors spent 1.1 billion, which helps local shops,hotels,pubs and activity centres
• tourism also provides 16,000 jobs boosts the local economy through the multiplier effect
• strong local economy means more money can be spent protecting the environment

Question 3

Outline the threats to the lake district?

Answer 3

• both landscape and ecology of the Lake District are fragile and under threat from overuse
• activities like walking,hiking and camping can lead to footpath erosion, trampling and littering
• additional tourist traffic causes congestion and pollution
• jobs in the tourism industry and seasonal
• increased demand for housing is increasing house prices, so locals can no longer afford to buy homes

Question 4

Outline and explain the problems and factors of footpath erosion in the Lake District?

Answer 4

• walkers destroy vegetation and compact the soil - reduces infiltration rates (more flooding)
• exposed soil is more easily washed away by heavy rain
• when walkers try and avoid badly eroded sections of footpath, they end up widening the path
• will be worsened further by increased storms (due to climate change)

Question 5

Outline how forestry is important in the Lake District?

Answer 5

• forested land in the area reduces soil erosion - roots hold soil in place
• generates income from selling timber

Question 6

Outline how climate change will impact the Lake District?

Answer 6

• will mean hotter drier summers, warmer wetter winters and more extreme weather events
• loss of indigenous plats and animal species
• increase in non-native species which could affect food chains
• gradual movement of habitats from lower to higher altitudes (affecting ecosystems at higher altitudes)
• heavy rain will wash more soil and chemicals from farming into lakes - causing siltation and impacting aquatic life

Question 7

Outline management plans and strategies for maintaining the lake district?

Answer 7

• Lake District national park partnership formed - allowing organisations a say in the parks management (involved public,private,community and voluntary sectors)
• ‘low-carbon lake district’ indicative launched to work with local business to reduce greenhouse gases and prepare for the effects of climate change

Question 8

Outline and explain the factors and benefits of the ‘low carbon lake district’ initiative?

Answer 8

• low-carbon budget - local business have to meet reduced targets
• the GoLakes travel programmes aims to tackle how visitors get to and travel around the Lake District
• planning policies to meet the highest energy efficiency standards and integrate low-carbon energy generation where possible

Question 9

Outline and explain some of the visions and plans for the future of the Lake District - give 2?

Answer 9

• developing a prosperous economy - business locating to Lake District to benefit from value of opportunity,environment and lifestyle it offers (traditional industries maintained to ensure diverse economy)
• achieving a world-class visitor experience - developing lake culture and improving tourism

Question 10

Outline and explain some of the visions and plans for the future of the Lake District - give 2?

Answer 10

• developing a prosperous economy - business locating to Lake District to benefit from value of opportunity,environment and lifestyle it offers (traditional industries maintained to ensure diverse economy)
• achieving a world-class visitor experience - developing lake culture and improving tourism

Question 11

Give 3 ways climate change will impact the Lake District?

Answer 11

• peat on the fells will dry out in warmer summers (releasing stored carbons) - dry moorland will also be more prone to fires
• forests will be at greater risk of damage from gales in winter and forest fires in summer
• roads and properties will be damaged and cut off by winter floods

Question 12

Outline a glaciated landscape in Nepal?

Answer 12

• sagarmatha national park which includes Mount Everest as well as glaciers and deep valleys
• example of an active glaciated area and UNESCO world heritage site
• has environmental and cultural value

Question 13

Outline tourism within the Sagarmatha national park?

Answer 13

• tourism industry is largely in the hands of Sherpa people
• outsiders and foreigners are increasingly establishing businesses in the area, number of migrant workers is rising
• tourism has boosted the local economy - leading to improved standards of living, better health care, education and infrastructure

Question 14

Outline some of the direct impacts caused by tourism at the sagarmtha national park - give 4?

Answer 14

• footpath erosion
• construction of illegal trails
• water pollution and problems with waste disposal
• increased demand for forest products (eg firewood)

Question 15

Outline and explain the Sherpa people within the sagarmatha national park?

Answer 15

• Sherpa people are tribe with Tibetan origins in north-eastern Nepal
• culture and religion restricts animal hunting and respects all living things - economic activities are based on farming and trade
• Sherpas also have reputation as expert mountaineers and guides - economic growth in tourism

Question 16

Outline features and opportunities provided by Mount Everest?

Answer 16

• commercial companies offer tours and guides to tourists seeking to clime Mount Everest
• easier than ever to reach the summit due to improvements in equipment, weather forecasting and training of group leaders

Question 17

Outline some of the problems with tours and climbs of Mount Everest?

Answer 17

• 2 main routes are dangerously crowded during peak climbing seasons
• lots of pollution from piles of rubbish, abandoned equipment and human waste (new rules to help combat this)

Question 18

Outline and explain some of the tighter controls being implemented surrounding Mount Everest within sagarmatha national park?

Answer 18

• limiting number of permits granted to climbers each year
• restricting group sizes - to reduce dangerous traffic jams
• insisting that all guides are properly qualified and experienced

Question 19

Outline and explain how climate change and glaciers are changing in sagarmatha national park?

Answer 19

• region vulnerable to the impacts of climate change - glaciers in the Himalayas are retreating
• evidence that glaciers around Mount everest have drunk by 13%
• reduction in size of glacier will have dire effects for farming and hydropower generation downstream
• retreating glaciers can create and grow lakes which can then result in catastrophic flooding

Question 20

Outline some of the physical threats glaciated landscapes face, focus on sagarmatha national park?

Answer 20

• earthquakes cause avalanches
• 1 avalanche swept into south base camp - resulted in 22 people dying
• another avalanche resulted in the death16 Nepalese guiders

Question 21

Explain why deforestation has taken place within glacial landscapes, focus on sagarmatha national park?

Answer 21

• Nepal was once heavily forested, less than 30% of the country’s natural forests now remains
  Causes:
• farming (pressure on land means steep hillsides are cleared of natural vegetation, and replaced with crops and cows)
• use of firewood for fuel
• clearance of forested areas to build roads, reservoirs etc

Question 22

Outline the consequences of deforestation on a glaciated landscape, focus on sagarmatha national park?

Answer 22

• loss of wildlife habitats and biodiversity
• exposure of the soil, nutrients washed away leaving infertile soil (lowers crop yields) - which is then eroded
• disruption of water cycle
• increased risks of landslide

Question 23

Outline and explain some plans and strategies for managing sagarmatha national park for the future?

Answer 23

• establishing plant nurseries to provide seedlings to re-a stable h forests and reduce erosion
• banning goats (protect mount action vegetation)
• limiting development projects (eg airport)
• encouraging kerosine for fuel instead of firewood

Question 24

Outline and explain some of the key players involved in managing the sagarmatha national park?

Answer 24

NGOs
- sagarmatha pollution control committee is a community based NGO involved in pollution control and rubbish disposal

Local residents and stakeholders
- 6000 people live in the national park
- park advisory committee consists of local leaders,village elders and park authors representatives