Soils as a useful tool for reconstructing geomorphic dynamics in high mountain environments: The case of the Buscagna stream hydrographic basin (Lepontine Alps)

Unraveling the relationship between geomorphodiversity and sediment connectivity in a small alpine catchment

“…Debris flow and snow avalanche channels are an effective means of debris transport (Cavalli et al., 2013). These mass wasting processes can play a contrasting role in sediment connectivity since, on the one hand, they contribute to the transport of rocky and woody debris, favoring lateral connectivity, and on the other hand, they can partially dam channels, inducing a decrease in longitudinal connectivity of the streams they impact on, as occurred close to the Buscagna outlet (Masseroli et al., 2020) during 2018 (B2). Avalanche corridors result, consequently, as high connectivity areas considering only as a target of IC computation, the secondary channels (Figure 5b,c).…”

“…In the present research, the IGmf was expected to provide information at VDNP scale (500 × 500 m cell size) and, according to the results of the IGmf , the IC (computed based on a 5 × 5 m DTM) was derived in the Buscagna small mountain catchment, where the relationship between sediment connectivity, geomorphic processes and geomorphodiversity could be relevant due to the particular lithological dichotomy characterizing its slope. Moreover, the area has been considered a test‐site for different scientific purposes linked with geomorphology (e.g., Masseroli et al., 2020).…”

“…The pronounced diversity between slopes in terms of geomorphic dynamics could also influence soil and vegetation patterns, as investigated for this region in detail by Masseroli et al (2020). Considering the effects of geomorphic processes and sediment connectivity on these other components of the ecosystem (Cavalli, Vericat, et al, 2019;Savi et al, 2013), a holistic approach (Seijmonsbergen et al, 2019) is recommended in future research, especially in protected areas such as the one investigated in the framework of this research.…”

Assessing the ecological value of dynamic mountain geomorphosites

“…The existence of disturbances that affect the soil can be related to numerous geomorphological processes: a movement in the surface may be induced by periglacial processes, solifluction or frost weathering; the erosion of surface deposits or the deposition of sediments may be linked to gravitational processes, avalanches, post-glacial decompression, torrential activity, etc. The frequency and intensity of these perturbations are key factors to understanding the impacts they can have on soil development and vegetation (Masseroli et al, 2020). Because they limit the development of the soil and can damage vegetation, disturbances may reduce the number of plant species.…”

An integrated approach for tracking climate-driven changes in treeline environments on different time scales in the Valle d’Aosta, Italian Alps

“…Pronounced dissimilarities exist between soils developed at sites with variable topographic conditions (e.g. exposure, relief forms, and gradients; Egli et al, 2010;Holtmeier and Broll, 2018;Masseroli et al, 2020), thus influencing the soil response to climate change. Despite there are no treeline-specific soil types in the temperate mountains (Holtmeier and Broll, 2018), the study of soil properties and characteristics proved to be a useful tool for the investigation and reconstruction of the response of sensitive environments to the past and ongoing climate changes (D'Amico et al, 2016(D'Amico et al, , 2019, as they are the results of the interactions between different environmental factors (i.e.…”