Land use and land cover as a conditioning factor in landslide susceptibility: a literature review

Abstract

Landslide occurrence has become increasingly influenced by human activities. Accordingly, changing land use and land cover (LULC) is an important conditioning factor in landslide susceptibility models. We present a bibliometric analysis and review of how LULC was explored in the context of landslide susceptibility in 536 scientific articles from 2001 to 2020. The pattern of publications and citations reveals that most articles hardly focus on the relationship between LULC and landslides despite a growing interest in this topic. Most research outputs came from Asian countries (some of which are frequently affected by landslides), and mostly with prominent international collaboration. We recognised three major research themes regarding the characteristics of LULC data, different simulated scenarios of LULC changes, and the role of future scenarios for both LULC and landslide susceptibility. The most frequently studied LULC classes included roads, soils (in the broadest sense), and forests, often to approximate the negative impacts of expanding infrastructure, deforestation, or major land use changes involving agricultural practice. We highlight several articles concerned primarily with current practice and future scenarios of changing land use in the context of landslides. The relevance of LULC in landslide susceptibility analysis is growing slowly, though with much potential to be explored for future LULC scenario analysis and to close gaps in many study areas.

Spatial Analysis of Causative Factors for Landslide Susceptibility on Java Island

“…For the land cover parameter, the highest FR values for the use of BNPB and NASA landslide occurrence data are in the secondary mangrove forest and open land classes, which are 2.69 and 5.71, respectively. Vegetation can protect soil from erosion and improve slope stability through mechanical anchoring by vegetation roots [17]. Therefore, land cover in the form of secondary mangrove forest and open land can reduce the level of soil or slope stability, causing landslides.…”

An assessment of the geomorphodiversity and land use/cover change (LUCC) effects associated with landslides in Meghalaya, India

“…The study also seeks to analyse the distribution of landslides in relation to the identified GmD patterns. Rapid land use/cover change (LUCC) and climate change, which is causing shifts in rainfall patterns, are suspected to intensify the risk associated with landslides in the mountainous region (Hao et al, 2022;Mateos et al, 2020;Pacheco Quevedo et al, 2023) Geologically, Meghalaya consists of the Gneissic complex of Archaean to Paleoproterozoic aeon to recent alluvial fills in the intracratonic linear depression of the Meghalayan stage of the Late Cenozoic era Strong et al, 2019). Overall, the majority of the area, $44% (concentrated in the northern and northwestern parts), is covered by an unclassified Gneissic complex with patches of greenstones and sediments of the Shillong group (Mishra, 2019).…”

“…The study also seeks to analyse the distribution of landslides in relation to the identified GmD patterns. Rapid land use/cover change (LUCC) and climate change, which is causing shifts in rainfall patterns, are suspected to intensify the risk associated with landslides in the mountainous region (Hao et al, 2022; Mateos et al, 2020; Pacheco Quevedo et al, 2023). The study further examines the changes in land use land cover (LULC) in Meghalaya, given the region's high susceptibility to landslides and the concurrent growth of tourism‐related activities, rapid urbanization and infrastructure development.…”

Change in Landslide susceptibility over time in the central Himalayan region: A case study of Siddhababa Area

“…In numerous studies conducted over the past few decades, land use has consistently been considered a significant causative factor in landslide susceptibility. However, despite its recognized importance, the exploration of land use changes in landslide susceptibility analysis has been limited, leaving a significant potential for future research [14]. While, the rapid expansion of urbanization has led to the conversion of substantial areas of forested and cultivable land into urban fringes.…”

“…This transformation, combined with the challenging terrain and complex topography, has significantly increased the occurrence of landslides caused by human interventions [15]. Moreover, recognizing the importance of land use in landslide assessment requires examining the influence of human activities on slopes, particularly agricultural and forestry practices [14]. These activities are further influenced by climate change, emphasizing the need for effec tive management strategies to minimize landslide susceptibility [13.…”