Opportunities and challenges for management

Agriculture

• Hot, arid areas: examine the opportunities for agriculture in these areas, the distinction between aridity and infertility, the importance of irrigation and risk of salinization, and the processes and factors involved in desertification.

Mineral extraction

• Periglacial areas: examine the opportunities and challenges posed by permafrost and other characteristics of periglacial areas for resource development (mineral extraction and any associated settlement and communications).
• Hot, arid areas: examine the opportunities and challenges posed for resource development (mineral extraction and any associated settlement and communications).

Tourism

• Examine the opportunities and challenges posed by the development of tourism and any associated settlement and communications in one type of extreme environment. Examine the impacts of tourism on the environment, such as mass movements and erosion, land degradation, vulnerability to hazards, aesthetic change, water usage and waste disposal.