Land Use in Glaciated Areas
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 3.4.8
Economic Uses of Glaciated Areas
Farming, forestry, quarrying and tourism are the four main economic uses of glaciated landscapes.
Farming
- Most farming methods are unsuited to the steep relief and infertile soils, therefore most farming is restricted to sheep farming.
- Valley floors could be used for cattle grazing and some farming.
- The weather is too cold to grow many commonly farmed crops.
Forestry
- It is common for evergreen forests to be planted in upland glaciated areas because they can survive in the hostile climate.
- The Lake District in the UK used to be a glaciated area.
- Now, the James Cropper paper factory uses trees to create pulp and pulp to make paper.
- Timber from trees can be used in construction too.
Quarrying
- Glacial erosion has left behind a lot of exposed rock.
- The Kumtor Mine in Krygyzstan is on a glacier.
- The rock is exposed and extracting gold is relatively easy.
- But glaciers can be in remote locations and cold environments.
Tourism
- Glaciers are often beautiful areas.
- The Chamonix glacier in France and the Zermatt glacier in Switzerland are very popular skiing destinations.
- In the summer, climbing, and walking are popular activities.
Test yourself on Land Use in Glaciated Areas
What are the economic uses of glaciated areas?
Which type of farming is not suitable for glaciated areas?