Understand the area used for this case study - Cairngorm National Park
Be able to describe what a National Park is
This topic is very similar to the National 5 topic, the major difference is the depth of knowledge you will need to go into. Also, you will need to be able to evaluate the strategies for how effective or not they are/have been.
This lesson looks at the direct impact between different groups of Land users, where they come into conflict, some of the strategies which can help reduce those impacts and how effective these strategies are.
Digital Workbook and Paper Jotter
Collect the worksheet table or create your own in your jotter
Add explanations for:
Why do the conflicts between the 2 groups of land users occur
The strategies to minimise their conflict
how effective these strategies are.
Move onto the next land user.
Tourists could leave gates open whilst walking and exploring the area. This can lead to animals escaping and potentially being injured or lost. This would affect profits for the farmer
Hillwalkers could trespass on farmers land. This could destroy farmers crops and result in lower yields or loss of crops in areas resulting in lower profit for the farmer
If tourists let dogs off their lead they could chase or scare farm animals, particularly sheep
If tourists drop litter in fields or the area, wildlife or farm animals could eat the litter choke and potentially die
Kissing gates or automatically closing gates installed along major walking paths to ensure animals don’t escape
Styles put in place to allow walkers to climb walls at common problem points, without causing damage
Education and awareness programs to ensure people always remain responsible for pets
Appropriate signage, encouraging visitors to take their rubbish home and not litter. This solution could also be used for any other problem.
Park rangers can issue fines to people caught littering.
Cost more time and effort for farmers to put in place, but are effective at stopping animals from escaping
Can take time for farmers to put in place but encourage crossing at designated points and staying to proper footpaths.
Still no guarantees that everyone will be responsible or follow the country code.
Signage is a cheap and easy method to put in place. Is easily ignored however and relies on people following the instructions.
Issuing fines relies on park rangers catching people in the act
Increased numbers of people visiting honeypot sites, can lead to overcrowding in the area at peak times such as bank holidays and weekends. This can also result to increased journey times for local people
As most tourists visit by car this can result in a range of conflicts. Tourists could park illegally on narrow streets or on grass verges leading to soil erosion or traffic congestions. Due to the sheer volume of cars visiting the area traffic congestion would build up. This leads to higher levels of noise and air pollution
Tourists dropping litter or leaving litter behind after BBQs or picnics looks unsightly and ruin the scenery in the area. Wildlife can also be affected if they eat this litter
Tourists might buy a second home (holiday home) in the area. However, if this only used sporadically throughout the year ghost towns can develop.
Implementing various restrictions such as one-way streets bypasses or complete closures of popular areas at peak times of the day/year. Aviemore ring road was constructed to reduce congestion on narrow roads during ski season.
Improved car and coach parking would encourage visitors to park appropriately and not on narrow roads. Aviemore has restricted parking in areas by issuing parking permits to local people
Removing litter bins encourages people to take their litter home. Focused litter bins around certain car parks and popular areas.
A very effective method, it can attract more customers to the area with reduced congestion times. Is a larger and more expensive method, which takes a long time to put in place
During busy times of year, even the increased capacity can still be stretched. Parking permits need to be enforced to ensure they are effective.
Removal of litter bins encourages people to take their rubbish home where recycling is more likely to occur. This also saves a lot of money as the council/park authority do not have to spend as much money on waste disposal.
Tourists can be in conflict with fellow tourists depending how they use the area
Those interested in active water sports such as jet skiing or speed boats can come into conflict with more passive users such as sightseers or fisherman as the noise from engines can scare fish away
Use of boats on the loch has led to erosion of the banks of the loch and pollution of the water from boat engines
Tourists can also cause footpath erosion along popular walking route. This is due to walkers not sticking to the path and overuse. Further erosion of the path by heavy rain escalates the problem
National park rangers are employed within the Cairngorms to promote understanding and enjoyment.
& 3. Zoning of land users or restricting use. Loch Morlich does not have any motorised water sports available.
^^
Badly damaged areas can be fenced off from the public altogether to allow recovery.
Special walkways e.g. Duckboards can sometimes be used to prevent footpath erosion.
Using/removing signposts can direct people to less fragile areas or away from fragile areas.
Duckboard walkways
A Free method for the public, and providing good front-facing customer service can encourage people to return to the park
& 3 Effective for loch Morlich but just moves the problem to another lake or another part of the lake.
^^
Effective signposts is a cheap and effective way to divert people to sites that are more durable and keep them away from sensitive areas as it is very subtle.
Footpath restoration and duckboards are very time consuming to install but are very good at protecting sensitive footpaths.
Commercial forestry can conflict with tourists when hill walking routes and paths are closed or rerouted as tourists are trying to enjoy the scenery and wildlife
Logging can cause noise pollution which disrupts the peace and quiet of the area and can scare away wildlife
The heavy trucks used to transport the logs can cause traffic congestion on roads as they are slow-moving. This could also increase journey times
Logging scars the landscape and makes it look unsightly. Growing foreign trees in rows or lines looks out of place and destroy the natural beauty of the area
Visitor centres and social media can be used to update people on ongoing logging works which may disrupt visits
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Commercial forestry could grow trees native to Scotland and in a sporadic growing pattern to make it look more natural.
Creates engagement with the park before travelling to explore the Cairngorms. This allows people to plan ahead and think more about their journey. Has the benefit of also encouraging responsible tourism in other areas such as some of the conflicts with farms and locals.
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The native trees fit in with the landscape and do not look out of place.