Ice On The Land Case Studies Flashcards
What is the case study for human use of a glacier landscape?
Chamonix, French Alps
Where is Chamonix?
In the NW part of the French Alps. 15km from Swiss boarder and 15km from Italy.
Background information for Chamonix
A centre for tourism for over 250 years. Has a stunning landscape that attracts people in Summer and Winter. Resident population is 10,000 but another 100,000 visit a day in the Summer and 60,000 in the Winter.
Name some attractions for tourists to do in the summer in Chamonix.
Ice caves fro viewing inside the glacier. Scenery provides perfect area for walking and cycling, there are 350km of marked trails for hiking and 40km of bike tracks. Famous Montenvers railway takes visitors to see the Mer de Glace glacier and valley.
Name some winter attractions for tourists to do in Chamonix
Skiing and snowboarding. Cable cars and railways providing easy access to slopes. Many hotels have spas and heated swimming pools. Cross country skiing courses. Ice climbing, free riding, paragliding and snowshoe trails for hikers. Museums, shops and historical buildings.
What are the economic impacts of tourism on Chamonix?
Tourists bring huge economic benefits, locals are employed, constructions workers are needed, multiplier effect. On the other hand, prices of houses and restaurants increase, many holiday homes are owned by wealthy visitors, locals can no longer afford to live in the area and shops target tourists needs making them expensive for locals.
What are the social effects of tourism on Chamonix?
Local people can use the improved health and transport facilities but there is sometimes and conflict between locals and tourists.
What are the environmental effects of tourism on Chamonix?
Mountain footpaths are eroded from walkers and cyclists, vegetation destroyed by skiers and snowboarders, deforestation has had to take place to make the ski slopes, extra unwelcome noise, congestion on narrow roads and in car parks, animals may be harmed, avalanches may be triggered.
How does Chamonix manage tourism?
It promotes responsible tourism(balances amount of tourists with the needs of looking after the environment), local authority provides an environmentally friendly transport service(clean energy buses and free public transport), the Espace Mont-Blanc involves cooperation between France, Italy and Switzerland (issues on international transport, nature conservation, forests and water resources), Tomorrow’s Valley brings together representatives to plan for sustainable development.
What are the current projects set by Chamonix’s Tomorrow Valley? (Sustainable management)
Burying service networks such as electricity underground, renovating and preserving historic buildings, preserving natural wet lands, minimising the impact of skiing on the environment by planting trees and using local building materials that blend in with the natural environment, maintaining footpaths, cleaning rivers (provides seasonal jobs), and supporting local tradition such as farming.
Background information for Abondance France.
A typical ski resort in the Haute-Savoie region of France.
Depends on income made from tourists.
In 2007 after 15 years of unreliable snow ski lifts closed down.
How did Abondance try to attract tourists?
Considered by the council: ski touring, snowshoeing and snow mobiling as they are less dependent than skiing.
Summer activities; hicking, climbing, water sports and mountain biking.
How could development harm the fragile environment of Abondance?
Road construction and building, deforestation, natural vegetation destroyed and pollution noise and visual.
What was the economic impact of unreliable snowfall in Abondance, France?
Less business and Ski resorts close due to unreliable snow and expense of paying for snow machines.
What was the social impact of unreliable snowfall in Abondance, France?
Locals can no longer benefit, less people visit the area and this leads to poverty as there is no strong source of income.
