Ließ, M.; Glaser, B. & Huwe, B. (2011): <b>Functional soil-landscape modelling to estimate slope stability in a steep Andean mountain forest region </b>. <i>Geomorphology</i> <b>132</b>, 287-299.
Resource Description
Title:
Functional soil-landscape modelling to estimate slope stability in a steep Andean mountain forest region
Short Name:
slope stability estimation
FOR816dw ID:
991
Publication Date:
2011-06-12
License and Usage Rights:
intelectual property: Ließ, Glaser and Huwe Copyright: Elsevier
Resource Owner(s):
Individual:
Mareike Ließ
Contact:
email:
mareike.liess <at> ufz.de
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Department of Soil Physics
D-06120 Halle (Saale), Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4
Germany
email:
bernd.huwe <at> uni-bayreuth.de
University of Bayreuth
Dept. of Geosciences/ Soil Physics Devision
95440 Bayreuth
Germany
Abstract:
Landslides are a common phenomenon within the Ecuadorian Andes and have an impact on soil-landscape formation. Landslide susceptibility was determined in a steep mountain forest region in Southern Ecuador. Soil mechanical and hydrological properties in addition to terrain steepness were hypothesised to be the major factors in causing soil slides. Hence, the factor of safety (FS) was calculated as the soil shear ratio that is necessary to maintain the critical state equilibrium on a potential sliding surface. Regression tree (RT) and Random Forest (RF) models were compared in their predictive force to regionalise the depth of the failure plane and soil bulk density based on terrain parameters. The depth of the failure plane was assumed at the lower boundary of the stagnic soil layer or soil depth respectively, depending on soils being stagnic or nonstagnic. FS was determined in dependence of soil wetness referring to 0.001, 0.01, 0.1 and 3 mm h−1 net rainfall rates. Sites with FS≥1 at 3 mm h−1 (complete saturation) were classified as unconditionally stable; sites with FSb1 at 0.001 mm h−1 as unconditionally unstable. Bulk density and the depth of the failure plane were regionalised with RF which performed better than RT. Terrain parameters explained the spatial distribution of soil bulk density and the depth of the failure plane only to a relatively small extent which is reasonable due to frequent translocation of soil material by landslides.<br/>
Nevertheless, their prediction uncertainty still allowed for a reasonable prediction of nconditionally unstable sites.
Literature type specific fields:
ARTICLE
Journal:
Geomorphology
Volume:
132
Page Range:
287-299
Publisher:
Elsevier
ISSN:
0169-555X
Metadata Provider:
Individual:
Mareike Ließ
Contact:
email:
mareike.liess <at> ufz.de
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Department of Soil Physics
D-06120 Halle (Saale), Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4
Germany
