Assessing sediment dynamics from geomorphological maps: Bruchi torrential system, Swiss Alps

Abstract

In alpine environments, debris flows are a dangerous geomorphic process and the main sediment transport agent in mountainous watersheds. In these areas, topographic conditions and land cover often reduce accessibility to conduct field surveys, such as geomorphological mapping. Remotely sensed data, including digital elevation models, can be used to highlight and map the main geomorphologic features, to analyse characteristics of the hydrographical network and, hence, to evidence the location and the potential volumes of sediment supply zones.

Application of an alpine geomorphological mapping system to an atlantic mountain environment: The Curavacas Massif (Cantabrian Range, Northwest Spain)

“…It covers the main morphogenetic agents responsible for relief formation in mountain areas (structural, glacial, periglacial, fluvial agents and mass movements). This system has been successfully used in the Alps (Golaz, 1995;Schoeneich, 1998;Schoeneich et al, 1998;Theler et al, 2008) and the Picos de Europa (González, 2007), which are similar to the one studied in this paper.…”

Climate change and integrated analysis of mountain geomorphological systems

“…However, knowledge of potential sediment sources in the upper catchments, in terms of distribution, propensity to connect and potentially mobilisable volumes, is of critical importance, both for existing watershed management and for understanding short to medium term climate change impacts. Geomorphological mapping has the potential to help here, but the majority of geomorphological mapping systems developed until now have focused on morphogenetic classifications, limited in terms of process analysis because they do not consider sufficiently process dynamics (Theler et al 2008(Theler et al , 2010. But, there is also an increasing opportunity to harness geomorphological mapping in sediment system analysis because the traditionally time consuming and challenging (e.g.…”

Geo-hiking map of Mt. Penna and Mt. Aiona area (Aveto Natural Park, Italy)

“…Penna and Mt. Aiona area in Aveto Park features geomorphological and climatic conditions typical of an alpine environment; the hazards include gravity-induced processes, triggered by the orography, and by geological and tectonic features, by running water (e.g., debris flow, Theler et al, 2008), and by periglacial processes (nivation phenomena).…”