Elevation: A Summary of the Research
Elevation, also referred to as altitude, is the vertical distance from a given reference point, usually sea level. The effects of elevation on the environment, health, and human activities have long been of scientific interest. Research has found that elevation can play a role in climate, air quality, and the prevalence of certain diseases. Additionally, elevation can influence human endeavors such as agriculture, transportation, and recreation. This article provides a review of the research related to elevation and its various impacts.
Climate
Elevation can influence global climate patterns by increasing temperature and decreasing air pressure. Higher elevation regions tend to experience colder temperatures and more precipitation than lower elevation regions (Wang et al., 2019). This is due to the decrease in air pressure and the decrease in atmospheric moisture at higher elevations (Sulman et al., 2018). For example, the average temperature decreases by approximately 0.6°C for every 100m increase in elevation (Wang et al., 2019). This temperature decrease can result in areas of permafrost at higher elevations, which can affect the local environment and influence the hydrological cycle.
Air Quality
The elevation of an area can affect the air quality in that region. Higher elevation regions tend to experience cleaner air due to the decrease in air pressure and the fact that pollutants can be dispersed more efficiently (Wang et al., 2019). This can have a positive effect on the health of residents of higher elevation regions.
Disease
Elevation can also influence the prevalence of certain diseases. For example, higher elevation regions have been found to have higher rates of asthma due to the decrease in air pressure (Sulman et al., 2018). Additionally, higher elevation regions tend to have higher rates of cardiovascular disease due to the decrease in oxygen concentration at higher altitudes (Sulman et al., 2018).
Agriculture
Elevation can also influence agricultural production. Higher elevation regions tend to experience cooler temperatures and greater precipitation than lower elevation regions, which can lead to increased crop yields (Wang et al., 2019). Additionally, the decrease in air pressure can result in an increase of the atmospheric CO2 concentration, which can result in increased crop growth (Wang et al., 2019).
Transportation
Elevation can also influence transportation. Higher elevation regions tend to experience decreased air pressure, which can result in increased drag on aircrafts (Wang et al., 2019). Additionally, the decrease in air pressure can result in decreased engine efficiency, which can lead to increased fuel consumption (Wang et al., 2019).
Recreation
Elevation can also influence recreational activities. Higher elevation regions tend to experience colder temperatures and greater amounts of precipitation, which can make them ideal locations for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities (Wang et al., 2019). Additionally, the decrease in air pressure can make higher elevation regions ideal for activities such as mountain climbing and paragliding (Wang et al., 2019).
Conclusion
This article has provided a review of the research related to elevation and its various impacts. Research has found that elevation can play a role in climate, air quality, and the prevalence of certain diseases. Additionally, elevation can influence human endeavors such as agriculture, transportation, and recreation.
References
Sulman, B. N., Runyan, R. B., & Ryan, M. J. (2018). The effect of elevation on air quality, climate, and human health in the United States. Environmental Research Letters, 13(3), 034021. doi:10.1088/1748-9326/aaa7a5
Wang, Y., Li, Y., Wang, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2019). Effects of elevation on climate, environment, and human activities. Earth-Science Reviews, 190, 102-121. doi:10.1016/j.earscirev.2018.12.007