Environmental & Cultural Value of Glaciated Landscapes
Wilderness's value
- Some glaciated landscapes have more wilderness qualities and therefore, more value than others
- Areas of active glacial and periglacial regions in high altitudes and latitudes have greater 'true wilderness' qualities than relict upland glacial landscapes, such as the Lake District or Snowdonia (Eryri)
- People attach spiritual meaning to pristine, natural, and untouched environments and many people have been inspired to write, paint, and express through film, their feelings and experiences of such places
- The value of wilderness can be seen as a sliding scale of quality wilderness
- Antarctica is the pinnacle of pristine wilderness and an aspirational place to visit
- The Arctic polar regions have areas of pristine wilderness but also areas inhabited by small groups of indigenous people with strong historical and cultural connections, such as the Inuit and the Nenets of Siberia
- Whereas, places such as the Cairngorms or Eryri are a lower quality of wilderness. They are more accessible, with a higher population
- However, mountain peaks are considered spiritual and linked with reaching a higher plane
- Mount Kailash, Himalayas, is sacred to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism and is never climbed
- Pilgrimages are undertaken every year to sacred mountains and lakes in Tibet
- Prayer flags are hung in the mountains of Nepal, to spread goodwill and compassion into the surrounding countryside
- All are valued, but one is seen as having a higher value than the other, due to having more elements of pristine qualities
- An important value of cold environments is to scientific research as living labs:
- Maintenance of genetic variety (Svalbard's Global Seed Vault)
- Migratory patterns for birds and animals
- Comparison of pristine or natural communities versus exploited, and mismanaged environments
- Front-line indicators of global warming and climate change
Exam Tip
Remember that conflict arises due to the attitudes of various stakeholders. Again, there is a sliding scale between those that want to fully conserve the wilderness and to exclude those already living a traditional life, against those who want to exploit its resources purely for economic gain.