EQ4

Question 1

How are the demands of conservation and economic development managed in an active landscape:

Answer 1

• commercial exploitation (e.g. mineral mining, fishing or tourism) is strictly regulated under the antarctic treaty of 1961
• international consensus possible as it is agreed that Antarctica is a significant, unique environment that should be used for scientific purposes rather than economic development

Question 2

How are the demands of conservation and economic development managed in a relict landscape:

Answer 2

• relict landscapes such as the lake district are far more accessible compared to Antarctica or northern Alaska and is therefore more under pressure to tourism
• tourism makes up 40% of its economy and developing the industry promotes its economic development
• tourism is however a threat to the fragile uplands that are prone to trampling, litter and footpath erosion and the areas carrying capacity may be exceeded in peak season
• Lake district authority operates under the Sandford principle meaning that conservation takes priority over economic development if the two conflict
• This helps preserve the landscape but it risks making people dependent on a small number of seasonal jobs
• it also means that projects such as HEP reservoirs (which may be beneficial for developing renewable energy) or quarrying will not be possible

Question 3

How are the demands of conservation and economic development managed in areas that are both relict and active:

Answer 3

• Landscapes such as the alps face complex managerial requirements as they stretch over numerous countries
• Zermatt is part of the relict/active alpine landscape with a complex managerial strategy:
• -follows alpine convention, prioritizes environmental conservation in severe cases e.g. cars are banned and buses are electric (minimising CO2 emission)
• -6 of 10 sanctuaries are protected and closed off to public so 85% of high priority areas are now fully recovered
• -due to its conservationist strategy it is difficult for the resort to expand its operations
• in 2010 two schemes were proposed which included a new car park and a new hotel with restaurant on mount Matterhorn
• -both were shutdown and discontinued as the WWF claimed that it would have been detrimental to the surrounding environment and would cost 9000m^2 of the surrounding woodland
• Despite Zermatts conservation efforts, many claim that it is not enough. greater the visitor count the more artificial snow/ice preservatives must be produced, both of which use biochemical additives which cause irreparable corrosive damage to the surrounding area
• during peak season Zermatt sees a 29,000 increase in residents which puts a strain on energy and water resources which in turn leads to pollution and environmental damage
• Zermatt has not engaged in further management of visitor count hence the risks posed by tourism cannot be fully mitigated
• It can be argued zermatt has good amanegerial balance between economic gain and environmental conservation as most high risk areas have been recovered whilst simultaeniously making record profits of about 24 million GBP in 2016/17

Question 4

How successful has the alpine convention been

Answer 4

• landscape is still taking damage from resorts, transport infrastructure and urbanisation in spite of the alpine convention made to protect the area
• It is far easier to strike a balance between the demands of conservation and economic development in glacial environments which are isolated with few or no residents whereas it is far harder to manage in accessible location especially where multiple nations are involved