The Alps
- Created by: claudiadavey
- Created on: 14-12-15 19:37
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- Case Study: Fold Mountains- The Alps
- The Alps lie on the destructive boundary between the African plate and the Eurasian plate.
- Living on fold mountains can be difficult due to the harsh conditions.
- Steep slopes
- Short growing season
- Avalanches/ rock fall
- Less land-use oppurtunites on the shaded north-facing slopes
- Farming in the Alps
- Most farms are located on the sunny south-facing slope to prolong the growing season
- Trans-humance farming is used, leaving the fertile valley floor for crops and winter fodder
- Trans-humance farming is when cattle are taken to graze on the high alp during the summer, instead of on the valley floor
- Cable cars bring fresh milk to to co-operative dairies on the valley floor, so it does not have to be turned into butter or cheese
- Additional feedstuffs are available for farmers to buy, so cattle can be kept on the valley floor all year round
- Forestry in the Alps
- Many slopes are covered in coniferous trees, so there is a large supply of wood
- It is the main building material and source of fuel in Alpine lands
- Timber that cannot be used for construction is turned into pulp and paper
- Sawmills on the valley floor use nearby rivers to power the mills
- Many slopes are covered in coniferous trees, so there is a large supply of wood
- Tourism in the Alps
- The Alps are used for tourism all year round
- Hikers and walkers come in the summer for the large glacial lakes and mountain scenery
- In the winter, there is snow for skiing and winter sports
- Flat land on the high alps is useful for hotels, restaurants and ski-lifts
- Alpine winters are becoming less snowy, however, and skiiing has damaged slope vegetation
- This has increased the risk of soil erosion
- The Alps are used for tourism all year round
- Hydro-electric power in the Alps
- Fast-flowing rivers are produced by the steep slopes, high precipitation levels, and summer melting of the glaciers in the Alps
- Narrow valleys are also easy to dam and there are lakes in which to store water
- Some of the cheap HEP produced is used by sawmills and other industries, and some is exported to other regions
- Fast-flowing rivers are produced by the steep slopes, high precipitation levels, and summer melting of the glaciers in the Alps
- Because the Alps are situated in MEDCs, there is money for the technology and develpoments needed to overcome high mountain transport issues
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