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Glaciated and formerly glaciated landscapes are not empty wilderness — they are home to millions of people and support a wide range of economic activities. However, these landscapes are often fragile, and human activities can generate significant conflicts and environmental pressures. This lesson examines the opportunities and challenges presented by glacial environments, using case studies from the UK and the Alps.
Glaciated landscapes provide numerous economic opportunities:
Tourism is typically the most important economic activity in glaciated upland areas:
| Activity | Glacial Feature Exploited | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Hiking and mountaineering | Dramatic mountain scenery (corries, arêtes, peaks) | Lake District (19.38 million visitors/year, 2019), Chamonix, Swiss Alps |
| Water sports | Ribbon lakes, tarns | Windermere (sailing, kayaking), Lake Lucerne (Switzerland) |
| Winter sports | Steep slopes, reliable snow cover | Chamonix (1.5 million ski visitors/year), Zermatt, Verbier |
| Sightseeing | Glaciers, scenic valleys, waterfalls | Mer de Glace (France), Aletsch Glacier (Switzerland), Jungfraujoch |
| Dark sky tourism | Remote, unpolluted locations | Lake District International Dark Sky Park (Ennerdale) |
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