Case Study: Glaciated Landscapes (SQA National 5 Geography): Revision Note

Specification checklist

This page covers what you need to know from the SQA National 5 geography specification to answer questions on:

• Land uses appropriate to the two landscape types studied should be chosen from:

  • Farming

  • Forestry

  • Industry

  • Recreation and tourism

  • Water storage and supply

  • Renewable energy

• In the context of one landscape type studied:

  • The conflicts which can arise between land uses within this landscape

  • The solutions adopted to deal with the identified land use conflicts

Landuse in a glaciated landscape

• There are many different land uses in glaciated landscapes, including:

  • Recreation and Tourism

  • Industry - Quarrying

  • Forestry

  • Water Storage and Supply

  • Renewable Energy

  • Farming (hill sheep)

• There are many conflicts between the different land uses

IMAGE NEEDED - OS Map

Cairngorm National Park

• Established in 2003, it contains Britain's highest and largest mountain range

• It covers an area of 4,528km²

• It is a good example of a glaciated upland

• The National Park is managed by several organisations, including:

  • National Park Authority

  • Five local authorities

Land use in the glaciated upland

Tourists

• Cairngorm is visited by up to 5000 tourists a day

• The most popular times are during:

  • The winter ski season

  • Summer

• Visitors use the funicular railway to access the mountain for:

  • Skiing

  • Visiting the Ptarmigan restaurant

  • Hiking

• The area is popular for:

  • Walking

  • Mountain biking

  • Sightseeing

Conservation

• As with all National Parks, the land is protected by law

• Many conservation groups are involved in preserving the natural landscape, including:

  • The Cairngorms Trust

  • Cairngorms Connect Partnership

  • RSPB

  • Centre for Landscape Regeneration

Farming

• Sheep farming is the main agricultural land use

• Managing deer herds to sell meat for venison

• In lowland areas in the valleys, there is some crop growth, including:

  • Barley

  • Hay

Quarrying

• Granite is quarried for use in building

Forestry

• The climate is suitable for plantation forestry

• Caledonian Scots Pine has been reintroduced to the area

Conflict between land users in glaciated uplands

Tourists v Farmers

• There are many possible conflicts between tourists and farmers

  • Tourists' dogs off the lead

    • The dogs may chase sheep and injure or kill them

    • This is stressful and traumatic for the farmer

    • May lead to lost profits

  • Walkers may leave gates open

    • This allows livestock (sheep/cattle) to escape from fields

    • This is time-consuming for the farmer

    • It may be costly if livestock become trapped/injured (vet bills)

  • Tourists may drop litter

    • This may be visually unappealing to other visitors

    • Litter can be a choking hazard for livestock and wildlife

    • The litter may contaminate the soil when it breaks down

  • Footpath erosion

    • Walkers may walk around muddy sections of path, widening it over time

    • Erosion of grazing land means farmers have to reseed the grass

  • Tourists usually travel by car

    • Parking of vehicles may block access to farmers' fields or driveways

    • This can cause frustration and reduce productivity

    • Traffic congestion may increase local residents' journey times

    • Farm vehicles may slow tourist traffic

  • Second homes are popular

    • This increases home prices

    • Local people and workers, including those involved in agriculture, cannot afford the prices

    • They have to live elsewhere

Tourists v Forestry

• Forestry is one of the main uses of the glaciated landscape

• Tourists may conflict with forestry because:

  • Forestry companies restrict access to areas of woodland during thinning and felling

    • This may frustrate walkers and mountain bikers who have to find an alternative route

  • Disposable BBQs and campfires may scar the grass, leaving a visual scar, or accidentally start a forest fire

Tourists v military

• Military use of the national park may restrict access to some areas

  • This may frustrate walkers, mountain bikers and other tourists

Tourists v water supply

• Fuel, litter, sunscreen and human waste can contaminate reservoirs when they are being used for watersports

• This means additional water treatment is needed

Tourists v renewable energy

• Wind turbines are at least 30m high

• Some people may find this visually unappealing

• Accommodation close to the turbines may be impacted by noise pollution

Tourists v the quarry industry

• Blasting for quarrying releases large amounts of dust

• This can be a problem for asthma sufferers

• Heavy lorries transporting stone can cause congestion on narrow roads and increase air pollution

• Wildlife and habitats are destroyed, which affects the natural beauty of the area

Solutions to conflicts

• Farmers install swing-hinge or self-closing gates so they close automatically, ensuring animals do not escape

• Train lines, buses, cycle routes and boat trips offer alternative forms of transport to reduce traffic congestion on narrow roads

• The National Park Authority helps manage land, for example:

  • Repairing footpaths

  • Issuing parking fines to those parked illegally

• Local authorities fine people for dropping litter

• Bins are removed from some areas to encourage people to take their litter home with them

• Areas of severe footpath erosion are cordoned off to allow the ground to repair itself