EQ4 Management: Threats to Glaciated Landscapes and Management Approaches

Management of Glaciated Landscapes

EQ4 - Management 2A.12 Threats to glaciated landscapes can be managed using a spectrum of approaches.

• Different stakeholders (conservationists, local and regional government, global organisations, NGOs) are involved in managing the challenges posed by glaciated landscapes, using a spectrum of approaches from protection through to sustainable management and multiple economic use []Yosemite Valley). (

(A: actions range from exploitation to preservation) b. Legislative frameworks are used to protect and conserve landscapes by conservation and management at a variety of scales. c. Climate warming is a context risk, meaning that successful management of these unique and fragile landscapes is increasingly challenging, with a need for coordinated approaches at global, national and local scale. (F: this risk is creating an uncertain future and needs mitigation and adaptation)Management . Threats to glacial landscapes can be managed in a number of ways, depending on the aims and attitudes of those players responsible - the stakeholders.

Stakeholders in Glacial Landscape Management

Stakeholders/players involved

• Conservation and landscape protection versus economic development often conflict, and decisions need to be made in terms of which gets priority.Conservationists Global organisations Local and regional government Stakeholders managing glacial landscapes National government NGOS

Approaches to Cold Environment Management

The spectrum of management for cold environments.

. There are a number of possible approaches to the management of cold environments. The spectrum of management for cold environments. Do nothing Total protection Radical action Business as usual/total Sustainable exploitation Sustainable management Comprehensive conservation exploitation

Task: Read through each one and decide which one it matches on the spectrum

• Do nothing =
• Business as usual =
• Sustainable exploitation =
• Sustainable management =
• Comprehensive conservation=
• Total protection =

Extension Q- Suggest reasons why the management of glaciated landscapes leads to conflicts at different scales.. Do nothing = allows exploitation and economic uses to flourish. Supported by governments at local or national level for revenues, or by some local people for employment potential. TNCs in favour e.g. energy and mining companies.

. Business as usual = very similar, leaving the area as it currently stands, but it may include aspects of pre-existing sustainability e.g. TNCs already having environmental policies as part of their mission statements.

. Sustainable exploitation = middle way; targets development for profit but with the insistence of mandatory environmental regulation e.g. waste disposal. It takes into account the vested interests of many players at a range of scales e.g. the development of fishing for local communities, but relies on compromise to be successful.

. Sustainable management = attempts to develop an area in a way that uses resources for the benefit of the existing community without destroying the environment, but at the same time, conserving resources for future generations. Many NGOs such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) favour this as an approach, as ultimately it could be a good way to conserve the landscape and support indigenous communities.

• Comprehensive conservation= aims to protect and conserve glacial and periglacial environments as wilderness, especially where still in a pristine condition. Only carefully regulated ecotourism or organic eco- farming is likely to be favoured by environmentalists and those allowed to practice and enjoy it (local businesses and tourists). Exploitative activities such as mining would not be permitted.

• Total protection = an approach only really favoured by conservationists and some traditionalists among local people, as this does not permit access to the pristine environment at all, except perhaps for scientific monitoring and research purposes. It therefore does not allow local people to earn revenue from it, or tourists to enjoy it.

• For most areas there are a number of alternative strategies; often these are appropriate only for certain parts of a large areas.
• Case study:
• Yosemite National Park - page 120

Legislative Frameworks for Glaciated Landscapes

Legislative frameworks to protect and conserve glaciated landscapes

• Legislative frameworks can be developed at a number of scales and can aid the protection and conservation of glaciated landscapes considerably, provided that they are closely policed and monitored. Mandatory legislation has 'teeth' and is likely to be far more successful in protection and conservation than frameworks and agreements.Management

Scales of Management

• Small/local scale - National Parks, conservations, local community
• National Scale - National Parks, SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest)
• Regional - Alpine Convention
• International/Global scale - Antarctic Treaty System, Alpine Convention and Svalbard Treaty
• Global systems for conservation - individual species are protected by global strategies such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), signed 1973 - many Arctic Species are on the list, including polar bears and walruses.

International Scale Conservation: Antarctica

International Scale

• Antarctica has had a unique system of international governance since the passing of the Antarctic Treat in 1959 for all areas south of 60 degrees S
• The ATS established Antarctica as a continent of peace and science
• Around 60 countries have now signed (including all those with bases on Antarctica)
• Since 1959 4 separate agreements have been adopted to form the ATS:
• AMCAFF - Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Flora and Fauna
• CCAS - Convention for Conservation of Antarctic Seals
• CCAMLR - Convention for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
• EP- Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty

How is the Antarctic environment protected?

Summary

• Antarctica is designated as a "natural reserve devoted to peace and science"
• Mineral activities are prohibited for at least 50 years, except for scientific minerals research
• All activities are to be conducted so as to limit adverse environmental impacts.
• New agreements have been added, which protect the flora and fauna; marine and terrestrial environments.
• Strict waste disposal procedures,
• the protection of special areas and liability for environmental damage. Antarctica: Global Britain - YouTube

Handout - study the diagram which shows some different opinions on the ATS

• Which options do you:
• Support most
• Support least
• Justify

The Arctic: Challenges and Cooperation

The Arctic

• The Arctic is in a far less healthy situation due to its physiogeography.
• It is essentially an oceanic area surrounded by powerful countries (including superpowers USA and Russia). Moreover, whereas 96% of Antarctica is covered by ice, in the Arctic there are extensive areas of terrestrial tundra vegetation, as well as marine ecosystems. As a result, over 4 million people live in the Arctic, 1/3 of these being indigenous groups whose traditional way of life and cultural values must be protected and conserved.

• Eight countries currently have territory and territorial waters within the Arctic Circle. These countries work together through the Intergovernmental Arctic Council.
• Indigenous communities are consulted on key issues, such as sustainable development and environmental protection. It was strengthened in 2004 by the Polar Code which, in theory, enables nations to enforce stricter environmental regulations in Arctic areas.
• The UN manages territorial disputes using UN Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
• However, recently increased geopolitical tensions have occurred as the melting sea ice has led to greater accessibility via the opening of new sea routes, and the feasible exploitation of more mineral deposits.

Other Examples of International Cooperation

Other examples of international co-operation- Alpine Convention

Read the case study and make notes on The Alpine Convention

Alpine Convention

• Intergovernmental treaty that came into force in 1995
• It includes the EU countries plus Monaco, Slovenia and Switzerland
• Attempts to balance development in the Alps with environmental protection
• Encourages member states to develop policies to manage planning, air pollution, soil conservation, water management, conservation, farming, forests and tourism.

Additional reading

. Geo factsheet Managing the Polar Areas . Read this in your own time and add to your revision notes.

National Scale Conservation

National scale

• At a national scale there are frameworks for the development of a whole hierarchy of conservation areas ranging from National Parks through to areas of specific scientific interest.
• Within Alaska there are many National Parks. However, in the continued search for oil - 'black gold' - to reinforce US energy security, permission has now been granted to drill part of the ANWR (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge) !
• Finland has an alternative system. Around 33% of its Arctic region is protected with a system National Parks, for public access, but also a number of strict Nature Reserves with very limited public areas. An example is Kevo in Finnish Lapland, which has only a few marked trails, with entry by permit only.

• The Lake Distrct National Park authority manages the area using the 'Sandford Principle' meaning that conservation priority over economic development if the two conflict. Saras Vithor Experience OUR 2030 VISION Everyone united behind Wor 17 MILLION VISITORS "An Inspirational example of sustainable development in action" Lake District National Park O LOF ird CONSERVATION extra €1.5 million FREEDOM & WELLBEING CONNECTION WITH NATURE STEWARDSHIP CARES Discover Explore Inspire Di

Task. Watch and listen to the following clip. Write down as many notes on their vision and values.

https://www.lakedistrict.gov.uk/aboutus/nationalparkvision

Global Systems for Conservation

Global systems for conservation

• Individual species are protected by global strategies such as Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) signed in 1973- many Arctic species are on the list, including polar bears and walruses.
• UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) administers a global system of World Heritage Sites, with site being listed because of their ecological or cultural importance.