Glaciers: Inter-related topics
It is easy for students to forget or be unaware how areas of geography are heavily inter-connected. Glaciers can be linked with ecosystems, weather and climate, tourism, hazards, climate change and politics.
Glaciers and ecosystems
Glaciers are only formed in environments with cold conditions. These distinctive conditions are recognised as one type of ecosystem. Arctic tundra ecosystems have a unique variety of wildlife and vegetation. The wildlife found in these locations is more easily recognised, for example polar bears, seals, and penguins. The vegetation is extremely sparse in the most northern and southern parts of the globe although there are a few species found in tundra areas. These mostly consist of lichens, mosses and grasses.
Glaciers are only formed in environments with cold conditions. These distinctive conditions are recognised as one type of ecosystem. Arctic tundra ecosystems have a unique variety of wildlife and vegetation. The wildlife found in these locations is more easily recognised, for example polar bears, seals, and penguins. The vegetation is extremely sparse in the most northern and southern parts of the globe although there are a few species found in tundra areas. These mostly consist of lichens, mosses and grasses.
Glaciers, weather and climate
As mentioned in the weather and climate pages, one of the main climate categories students must learn about is Polar regions. The largest glaciers are found at the polar regions which demonstrates a clear link between climate conditions and the difference between environments. In this case, a number of factors are influencing the climate in the poles to be extremely cold. Annual and seasonal variations in Earth's weather and climate cause fluctuations in the size of glaciers around the world. In summer glaciers retreat due to higher temperatures and in winter the opposite happens.
As mentioned in the weather and climate pages, one of the main climate categories students must learn about is Polar regions. The largest glaciers are found at the polar regions which demonstrates a clear link between climate conditions and the difference between environments. In this case, a number of factors are influencing the climate in the poles to be extremely cold. Annual and seasonal variations in Earth's weather and climate cause fluctuations in the size of glaciers around the world. In summer glaciers retreat due to higher temperatures and in winter the opposite happens.
Glaciers and tourism
Tourism in glacial areas is a key part of KS4 Geography. Mountainous highland areas with snow ad glaciers are highly popular for recreational activities such as sightseeing. These areas also offer opportunities for specialist winter sports which is particularly valuable for those people who live in countries with warmer climates and have little or no snow in winter to experience these sports. The tourism business adds a large contribution to a regions economy and even to a countries economy for predominantly cold areas of the globe.
Tourism in glacial areas is a key part of KS4 Geography. Mountainous highland areas with snow ad glaciers are highly popular for recreational activities such as sightseeing. These areas also offer opportunities for specialist winter sports which is particularly valuable for those people who live in countries with warmer climates and have little or no snow in winter to experience these sports. The tourism business adds a large contribution to a regions economy and even to a countries economy for predominantly cold areas of the globe.
Glaciers and hazards
Glacial areas are ever moving albeit incredibly slowly the majority of the time. Occasionally the weight and pressure of glaciers or snow in steep mountainous areas builds up and slips suddenly. These incidents are commonly known as avalanches. Avalanches pose a serious threat and can occur on a relatively large scale. This has led to most mountainous or glacial areas to have developed a range of management strategies for predicting or reducing the impacts from these hazards.
Glacial areas are ever moving albeit incredibly slowly the majority of the time. Occasionally the weight and pressure of glaciers or snow in steep mountainous areas builds up and slips suddenly. These incidents are commonly known as avalanches. Avalanches pose a serious threat and can occur on a relatively large scale. This has led to most mountainous or glacial areas to have developed a range of management strategies for predicting or reducing the impacts from these hazards.
Glaciers, climate change and politics
Global fluctuations in climate have naturally played a large part in determining the size and locations of glaciers by driving the cycles of glacial and inter-glacial periods. The acceleration of the natural greenhouse effect in recent decades has had significant and deeply concerning impacts upon polar regions and other cold environments worldwide. The rapid increases in temperature are causing ice caps to melt and glacier to drastically retreat. Currently the evidence for and against climate change is wrapped up in worldwide political debates. The questions of what these changes will cause for the future have been considered and some responses are beginning to emergence through government policies. Although not everyone has agreed that climate change exists or that it is a threat that needs addressing.
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