Ecology and environment: National parks and tourist routes

Types of Natural Parks

• National Parks are areas of importance to the national heritage and under special protection and attention. They do not always belong to the state. There are 15 of them in the UK, and each of them has its authority.
• Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is a section of countryside in England, Wales or Northern Ireland which is being preserved because of its landscape value.
• Heritage coast is a strip of coastline in the England and Wales. Those areas are recognised for their natural beauty, wildlife and heritage. Heritage coasts support these qualities and connect them with the enjoyment of the public.
• National nature reserves (NNR) are areas made to preserve wildlife but also allow studying in it, its habitats and also to study geological features. England has the biggest number of NNR. There is 224 of them in it, 67 in Wales, 43 in Scotland and 47 in Northern Ireland.
• Geoparks are areas that protect the geological heritage and promote the economic comfort of the people who live in them.

Types of Routes

• There are recreational routes which are used for walking or cycling. They are the most common routes.
• Educational routes are routes often with information signs about local nature on it.
• Core Areas are securely protected sites for conserving biological diversity, monitoring ecosystems, carrying out non-destructive research and low impact uses.
• Buffer Zones surround the core areas and help in rising protection level of the specific area. Restrictions can be smaller there than in core areas.
• Transition Ares: An area containing agricultural activities and local communities. Both sides in this area try to reconcile economic and conservation needs without damaging natural resources.
• Braunton Burrows is a biosphere reserve located in North Devon. It consists of dune systems, and it is private property.
• Woodhead Pass is a section of the A628 running through the Pennine Hills in the Peak District National Park. It goes past Rhodeswood Reservoir.
• Dartmoor is an area of moorland located in England. It is protected by National Park status as Dartmoor National Park. It is a great tourist route because of the beautiful views.
• The Cat and Fiddle Road is one of the bendiest roads in the UK and is named after the inn which is the second-highest located one in Britain. It has amazing views over Manchester.

Exercises

External link to Ecology and environment: National parks and tourist routes exercises (525).