1. Arctic and Alpine tundra environments
Human effects on the ecosystem

2. Human effects on the Arctic tundra ecosystem
Hunting of wild animals has brought many species close to extinction e.g. Musk oxen
Pastoral agriculture of reindeer needs careful management to keep the herds within the carrying capacity of the environment.
Oil, gas and mineral exploration has opened up the area to widespread and drastic change
Disturbance of the tundra vegetation results in greater absorption of sunlight and the melting of the permafrost. Thermokarst activity results in thaw lakes and slumps.
Tracked vehicles (snow-cats etc.) create ruts which deepen into ponds and irreparable damage. Air-cushion vehicles have less impact in winter but depress the vegetation mat in summer causing soil temperatures to rise and an effect similar to heavy grazing.
Pipeline construction has had to be elevated in areas subject to thaw and disrupt crossing points for caribou and moose. Oil spills have also created damage.
Wilderness activities such as trekking have increased considerably. Damage from trampling occurs in the most popular areas.
Pollution from other parts of the world may still have an effect. Penguins in the
Antarctic have been affected by DDT. Radio-nucleides from nuclear tests in the Pacific and Russian Arctic have also been of concern.

3. GLOBAL WARMING
However the greatest problem faced by the Arctic tundra ecosystem at present is that of global climate change.
Global sea level change, the threat of more extreme weather, as well as general warming and the degradation of permafrost pose significant dangers for the tundra.

4. Attempts to reduce problems of construction when developing periglacial areas

5. Effects on Alpine valleys of the expansion of winter sports
Hotels, shops and restaurants detract from the landscape
Destroys the traditional way of life
Hotels are run by outsiders, and employ foreigners, especially in management jobs
Much of the work is seasonal
Most of the food and other needs have to be imported
Services such as sewerage and water need to be supplied in a difficult physical environment
More leisure activities cause more erosion
Less water is stored in the soil and vegetation, increasing the danger of floods
Deforestation leaves the soil bare
Snow-moving vehicles compact the soil; therefore the snow flows away quickly when thawing
Vehicles and skis damage the vulnerable Alpine plants, which mean fewer of them grow in the summer
Overland flow increases because of impermeable surfaces like roads and car parks; one consequence of this is that there is less lag time between the snow melting and water reaching the river channels
There is a greater danger rocks will fall from open slopes
Wildlife habitats are lost
A greater danger of avalanches
Landslides affect the work of building new hotels and roads