Case Study: Limestone 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 limestone landscape

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

  • Recreation and Tourism

  • Residential

  • Industry - Quarrying

  • Forestry

  • Renewable Energy

  • Farming (dairy)

• There are many conflicts between the different land uses

Yorkshire Dales National Park

• Located in North Yorkshire, England

• The Yorkshire Dales National Park covers 2,178km²

• Established in 1954

• It contains extensive areas of limestone landscapes

• Several organisations manage the limestone areas:

  • The National Park Authority

  • The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

  • Natural England

  • Plantlife International

  • The National Trust

Land use in the limestone landscape

Tourists

• The Yorkshire Dales National Park attracts over four million visitors per year

• The area is popular for:

  • Walking

  • Hiking

  • Sightseeing

  • Climbing

  • Caving/potholing

  • Camping

Conservation

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

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

  • The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

  • Natural England

  • Plantlife International

  • The National Trust

• The limestone pavements are protected by:

  • Limestone Pavement Orders (LPOs)

  • Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

Farming

• The hills in the Yorkshire Dales are used for sheep farming

• The lower land is used to grow some crops, and for beef and dairy

• Many farmers diversify by having holiday cottages, glamping pods, farm shops and other activities, for example:

  • West Close Farmhouse Cottages

  • Town End Farm shop

Quarrying

• Limestone and gritstone are quarried in the Yorkshire Dales

  • Examples include:

    • Swinden quarry and Horton quarry

Renewable energy

• Large-scale renewable energy projects are restricted because the area is covered by the National Park

  • Hope Moor Wind Farm is proposed for the edge of the National Park

• There are also proposed small-scale hydropower schemes, such as at Winterburn Reservoir, Malhamdale

Conflict between land users in limestone uplands

Farming v tourism

• Farming activities often conflict with walkers’ rights of access

  • Farmers may not want tourists walking over their land

• Walkers may leave gates open, allowing livestock to escape

  • Farmers may lose profits

  • Farmers have to spend time and effort finding the animals

• 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

• Stone walls may be damaged if tourists try to climb over them 

  • These cost money to repair

• Careless tourists might drop litter, which animals might choke on and die

  • Litter makes the farmland look visually unappealing

Quarrying v tourism

• Quarrying is often in conflict with tourism because it spoils the appearance of the countryside

  • Swinden Quarry in the Yorkshire Dales 

• Quarrying also leads to heavy traffic on narrow roads, causing congestion

  • The traffic also creates noise and air pollution, all of which might put tourists off visiting the area

Conservation v tourism

• Footpath erosion

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

  • Erosion of land destroys habitats and impacts wildlife

• Tourists may drop litter

  • Litter can be a choking hazard for livestock and wildlife

  • The litter may contaminate the soil when it breaks down

Tourists v locals

• Second homes are popular in areas such as Hawes and Malham

• Approximately 20% of housing is a second home or holiday let in the National Park

  • This increases house prices

  • Local people cannot afford the prices

  • They have to live elsewhere

Solutions to conflicts

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

• Train lines, buses and cycle routes offer alternative forms of transport

  • This reduces 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

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

• Quarries are screened with fast-growing trees to reduce the visual impact

• When stone is being blasted, hose pipes spray water to reduce dust pollution

• The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority has approved measures to prevent new housing from being used as a second home or holiday let