Conflicts in Glacial Landscapes
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 3.4.9
Conflicts in Glacial Landscapes
Economic activity in glacial landscapes leads to conflicts over the common economic land uses.
Conflicts over farming
- Farming could lead to increased flooding. If trees are cleared to allow cows or sheep to graze, then surface runoff will increase.
- Conservationists believe that natural environments should be preserved.
- Tourists, walkers, and climbers can walk on private land (owned by farmers or individuals).
Conflicts over tourism
- Conservationists are not happy about the development of the infrastructure that comes with the tourism industry.
- In the Lake District, there was controversy in 2019 over 4x4 vehicles driving through natural areas of the environment.
- Tourists can damage fences, pick living plants, trample over crops, and scare livestock.
Conflicts over forestry
- Deforestation must happen in order to harvest trees. This practice damages habitats.
- Deforestation can lead to more flooding and surface runoff.
- Evergreen forests support less biodiversity than mixed woodland. As a result, tourists may be less attracted to the area.
Conflicts over quarrying
- Quarrying destroys habitats, and so this activity is strongly disliked by conservationists.
- Open mines can lead to scarring.
- Often, small, local villages can be disturbed by the large transport vehicles collecting the minerals that are being mined. This can lead to noise pollution.
- A mine may discourage a tourist from visiting.
Test yourself on Conflicts in Glacial Landscapes
Why might people be unhappy about quarrying happening in glacial landscapes?
Which conflict is caused by farming in glacial landscapes?