C.1.3 Challenges for Human Habitation and Resource Development Notes

Barriers to Development

1. Extreme environments present challenges to development of human settlements and activities.
2. These barriers stem from natural and human factors, such as:

• Harsh climates.
• Difficult terrain.
• Limited resources.
• Remoteness and inaccessibility.

Relief and Climate: Natural Obstacles to Development

Steep Slopes and Poor Soils

Steep Slopes:

1. Building infrastructure on steep slopes is costly and risky due to landslides and erosion.
2. Agriculture is challenging as soil is often thin and unstable.

Poor Soils:

1. In cold environments, soils are often frozen (permafrost) or waterlogged, limiting plant growth.
2. In deserts, soils are dry and lack nutrients, making farming difficult without irrigation.

Example

Himalayan Mountains: Steep slopes and thin soils hinder agriculture and infrastructure development, forcing communities to rely on terrace farming and traditional building methods.

Extreme Temperatures

Cold Environments:

1. Low temperatures reduce the growing season and increase heating costs for homes and businesses.

Hot Environments:

1. High temperatures increase water evaporation, leading to scarcity.
2. Infrastructure deteriorates faster under intense heat.

Human Discomfort: Challenges to Livability

Difficulty in Agriculture

Cold Environments:

1. Short growing seasons and frozen soils limit crop production.

Hot Environments:

1. Water scarcity and salinization make irrigation costly and inefficient.

Example

Atacama Desert, Chile: One of the driest places on Earth, where water scarcity and soil salinization hinder agriculture.

Water Scarcity

Cold Environments:

1. Water is often locked in ice, making it inaccessible.

Hot Environments:

1. Limited rainfall and high evaporation rates exacerbate water shortages.

Note

In the Sahara Desert, communities rely on ancient wells and oases, but these sources are increasingly threatened by overuse and climate change.

Exposure to Harsh Conditions

Cold Environments:

1. Frostbite, hypothermia, and isolation during winter months.

Hot Environments:

1. Heat exhaustion, dehydration, and dust storms pose health risks.

Inaccessibility: The Challenge of Remoteness

Limited Infrastructure

Cold Environments:

1. Permafrost destabilizes roads and buildings, increasing maintenance costs.

Hot Environments:

1. Sandstorms and shifting dunes damage roads and communication networks.

Example

Siberia: Roads built on permafrost require constant repairs as the ground thaws and shifts.

High Transportation Costs

Cold Environments:

1. Ice roads are seasonal and expensive to maintain.

Hot Environments:

1. Fuel and water must be transported over long distances, raising costs.

Resource Development: High Costs and Environmental Risks

Extraction and Transportation

Cold Environments:

1. Ice cover and permafrost make mining and drilling difficult.

Hot Environments:

1. High temperatures and water scarcity increase the cost of resource extraction.

Environmental Degradation

Cold Environments:

1. Oil spills and mining can cause long-lasting damage to fragile ecosystems.

Hot Environments:

1. Over-extraction of water leads to desertification and loss of biodiversity.

Examples of Barriers in Extreme Environments

Cold Environment: Greenland

Mining Challenges:

1. Ice cover and permafrost increase extraction costs.
2. Short working seasons due to harsh winters.

Infrastructure:

1. Limited roads and ports make transportation expensive.

Environmental Risks:

1. Melting permafrost releases greenhouse gases, exacerbating climate change.

Case study

Hot Arid Environment: Atacama Desert, Chile

Water Scarcity:

1. Minimal rainfall and high evaporation rates.
2. Salinization of soils reduces agricultural productivity.

Energy Costs:

1. High energy consumption for desalination and irrigation.

Tourism:

1. While the desert attracts tourists, infrastructure development is costly and environmentally sensitive.