Case study - the Lake District
Land uses
Farming
Low temperatures because of the height of the land mean that the The length of time it takes for plants to fully mature. is too short to grow crops and a lack of sunshine means crops will not ripen. The slopes are too steep for modern farming machinery to be used and the high rainfall The process by which rainwater washes all the goodness out of top soil. Chemical elements that are essential for plant nutrition. from the soil, leaving it thin, acidic and When there are no longer any nutrients in the soil..
Flatter areas in valleys are often marshy making it impossible to grow crops there. Sheep are hardy and can survive in these cold, harsh environments - on the upper slopes of U-shaped valleys, hill sheep farming is the most common type of farming. On the valley floors, eg in Great Langdale, cattle can graze where the land is flatter and the grass is better quality because of more fertile soils.
Grass that has been cut, dried and baled. is grown as a Crops such as hay which are grown to feed animals during winter months. to feed animals in winter. When farmers undertake non-farming activities to generate more income. also enables farmers to earn extra income, eg from providing B&Bs accommodation for tourists.
Forestry
Trees which are grown for sale. can take place on the lower, gentler slopes of U-shaped valleys, eg on Harter Fell, where conditions are less harsh and soils are better quality.
Industry
The main The type of work that people do. in the area is The removal of rocks from the land.. Local slate is used in roofing and to repair stone walls. Granite is used in making roads and limestone is used in steelmaking.
Recreation and tourism
Tourists visit the Lake District for its natural picturesque scenery and variety of year-round activities. The Lake District is also close to many urban areas, eg Carlisle, and has excellent road links via a number of motorways such as the M6. Ribbon lakes such as Lake Windermere provide excellent opportunities for watersports and activities including waterskiing, fishing and boat trips.
ArĂȘtes like Striding Edge provide great opportunities for hill walking, while pyramidal peaks are good for rock climbing. Corries also provide excellent opportunities for winter sports such as skiing.
Historical and cultural attractions such as the Beatrix Potter exhibition and Dove Cottage, home to William Wordsworth, also draw people to the region.
Water storage and supply
The high rainfall ensures that lakes in this region, such as Lake Thirlmere, can be used to supply fresh drinking water to nearby towns and cities like Manchester. The hard Rock which does not allow water to pass through it, eg granite. provide excellent geological conditions for water storage in A man-made pool of water used to store drinking water..
Renewable energy
Energy generated from fast-flowing water. hanging valleys are dammed to generate electricity using the force of the water from rivers.