13.11.1 Human causes of landform change Human activities like mining, farming, building roads and cities, and deforestation can radically change the shape of the land by removing soil, flattening hills, or causing erosion, far faster than natural processes would. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre actively works to protect World Heritage listed sites from human- induced change. Landforms not on the World Heritage list are often managed by other organisations such as national and state parks services, local councils, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ land councils, and environmental agencies to help protect their natural and cultural resources.
FIGURE2 The World Heritage List includes 1223 sites of significance across 168 countries. There are 952 cultural sites, 231 natural sites and 40 mixed sites.
ARCTIC OCEAN
Arctic Circle
ATLANTIC
PACIFIC
Tropic of Cancer
OCEAN
OCEAN
Equator
INDIAN
OCEAN
Tropic of Capricorn
World Heritage sites
Cultural Natural Mixed
Cultural in danger Natural in danger
0
2500
5000 km
Source: Copyright © 1992–2019 UNESCO/World Heritage Centre. All rights reserved.
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. Which continents have the highest concentration of World Heritage sites? 2. Discuss how World Heritage sites contribute to tourism. 3. Do you think tourism is beneficial or does it put these sites at risk?
CASESTUDY The Great Artesian Range
The Artesian Range, an isolated and unique Australian landscape, is often called a modern-day Noah’s Ark. Its hidden valleys and canyons are home to diverse flora and fauna, including some of Australia’s most endangered species. Covering 1800 square kilometres ( FIGURE3 ), the area is largely inaccessible and can only be reached by helicopter or boat. The sandstone formations date back around 1.8 million years.
TOPIC13 Landforms and landscapes – diversity, significance and management 337
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