Human Activities & Glaciated Upland Landscapes (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)

Impact of Human Activity on Glaciated Landscapes

• Upland glaciated areas are challenging environments for human activity

• Any activity needs to deal with low temperatures, heavy rainfall, steep slopes, and thin, infertile soils 

• The most common economic uses are:

  • Forestry

  • Farming

  • Settlements 

Forestry

• Evergreen (coniferous) forests are planted in upland areas 

• New forests can help reduce soil erosion and offset the impact of deforestation elsewhere

• Trees are felled for timber and provide job opportunities, which boost the local economy

The impact of forestry

• Felling trees removes habitats for animals and plants 

• Coniferous forests do not support high biodiversity and limit species numbers

  • This makes them less attractive to visitors

• Coniferous forests are relatively quick to grow and can be harvested more often

Farming 

• Due to the steep slopes and poor soils, sheep farming is the most common activity in upland areas

• Certain breeds of cattle can be grazed on the lower valley floor 

• Crop growth is limited but grass can be grown for hay or silage to feed the animals

The impact of farming

• Vegetation protects the landscape from erosion and provides habitats for wildlife

• Farming harms the environment when clearing trees and vegetation to provide grazing

• Too many animals lead to overgrazing, which causes soil erosion and may pollute water sources

  • Overgrazing may also squeeze out wildlife  

• Many hill farmers are finding farming less economically viable

  • This has led to them selling land for housing and holiday homes

Settlements

• There are few settlements in upland glaciated areas

• These tend to be small and dispersed

• Population density is low

  • In the Lake District the population density is 17 people per km²

• The often steep, rocky terrain means it is difficult to construct:

  • Buildings

  • Transport links

  • Infrastructure such as power supplies 

• Settlements are made up of:

  • Isolated farmhouses 

  • Small villages in valleys where land is flatter and access is easier

The impact of settlements

• Tourism has led to an increase in second homes and holiday cottages

• In some areas of the Lake District over a third of homes are holiday lets or second homes
  

  • Keswick - 34% 

  • Borrowdale - 52%

• This leads to these areas having few residents in the winter months and being inundated with tourists in summer.