Avalanche activity and socio-environmental changes leave strong footprints in forested landscapes: a case study in the Vosges medium-high mountain range

Abstract

The medium-high mountain ranges of Western Europe are undergoing rapid socio-environmental changes. The aim of this study is to show that their landscape can be strongly shaped by the actions of avalanche activity, humans and climate. The study area is the Rothenbachkopf-Rainkopf complex, a site representative of avalanche-prone areas of the Vosges Mountains (France). A geo-historical approach documents regular avalanche activity over more than 200 years on 13 paths. A diachronic analysis of historical maps and photographs demonstrates substantial afforestation (from 60 to 80% of the total surface since 1832). LIDAR data and field surveys highlight the existence of a longitudinal and transversal structure of trees. Hence, the avalanche, human and climate activity footprints are retained by the landscape, which rapidly adapts to these changing drivers. Specifically, the pattern of tree species and heights results from a near equilibrium with regular avalanche activity sometimes disturbed by major avalanches that induce quasi-cyclic changes in the landscape mosaic. The afforestation trend is attributable to profound changes in silvo-pastoral practices, supplemented by the impact of climate change. The wider relevance of the results in relation to the local context is discussed, as well as outlooks that can refine our understanding of this complex system.

Effects of Climate Change on Avalanche Accidents and Survival

“…The presence of persistent weak layers, represents a major threat for recreationists (Techel et al, 2015;Statham et al, 2018). Avalanche risk caused by natural events will also be influenced by changes in land use, land cover, and demographics (García-Hernández et al, 2017;Giacona et al, 2018) that may be affected by climate change. There will be a higher risk of disastrous events where poorly managed winter tourism activities, transportation routes, and exploitation of natural resources lead to increases in exposure.…”

High Mountain Areas

“…A positive trend in the proportion of avalanches involving wet snow in December through February was shown for the last decades (Pielmeier et al, 2013;Naaim et al, 2016). Land use and land cover changes also contributed to changes in avalanches (García-Hernández et al, 2017;Giacona et al, 2018). Correlations between avalanche activity and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were identified from 1950-2011 in North and South America but there was no significant temporal trend reported for avalanche activity (McClung, 2013).…”

Development and validation using ground truth of a method to identify potential release areas of snow avalanches based on watershed delineation

“…Very rare avalanches may not have occurred since the CLPA exists, and avalanches may have been missed in remote areas. In addition, 190 forest stands that keep the footprints of past events in their landscape forms (e.g., Giacona et al, 2018) in high elevation areas. As a consequence, CLPA extensions are more exhaustive near human stakes like cities, villages and ski resorts, and less exhaustive in remote areas without stakes and which are difficult to access as well as in high elevation forest-free zones.…”