A new approach to integrate effects of changes in vegetation cover in slope stability assessment.

Rosalie Vandromme (1) , Nicolas Desramaut (1)

1 BRGM - Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM)

Global changes would have direct impacts on landslide activities through the modifications of the triggering events with the evolutions of climate forcing. However, some predisposing factors would also evolve, like, for example, the vegetation covers. Indeed, forests are likely to be modified, either by anthropogenic interventions, natural ageing or adapting to climate change. And this evolution is likely to result in changes of the susceptibilities of slopes to landslides. In order to propose adequate solutions for current and future forestry management, it is therefore necessary to properly estimate the influences of the vegetation on slope stabilities. In the present study, we are developing a complementary module to our slope stability assessment tool to take into account the effects of vegetation on the soil mechanical properties (cohesion and over-load), but also in a future second step, on the slope hydrology (change in interceptions, run-off, and infiltration). Hence the proposed methodology will combine a mechanical stability analysis using finite slope analysis, with a hydro-logical model, and with a vegetation module which interfere with both aspects. All these elements are inter-faced within a GIS-based solution. The method will be applied to a Pyrenean Valley, in Laruns, a site which is part of the Observatoire Pyrénéen du Changement Climatique (OPCC).

Mots clés: landslide susceptibility mapping; vegetation cover; landslide

Domaines: Sciences de la Terre

Rosalie Vandromme, Nicolas Desramaut. A new approach to integrate effects of changes in vegetation cover in slope stability assessment.. Journées Aléas Gravitaires 2013, Sep 2013, Grenoble, France. 6 p. ⟨hal-00852279⟩