To protect the unique environment, much of the snow country has been set aside as national park areas. People can visit the parks to enjoy camping, bush-walking and skiing. Years of European-style land use has meant that the High Country now faces severe environmental problems. One of the major problems is soil erosion. This is caused by excessive run-off in areas where there is no plant cover and bare soil is exposed.
Water is evaporated by the sun.
It rises into the air as water vapour and forms clouds. When this warm, moisture-laden air cools, the water vapour condenses and falls to the land as rain. Where there is plenty of vegetation cover, only a small amount of water will run off. When raindrops fall onto bare earth, they loosen particles of soil which are then washed into creeks and rivers. When this happens on an even slope, the result is sheet erosion.