Landslide erosion rates in Italy and Taiwan

Taiwan and Italy are affected by extensive mass wasting processes induced by geophysical (earthquakes) and meteorological (prolonged or intense rainfall, rapid snowmelt) triggers, and human induced causes (deforestation, agricultural practices, constructions, irrigation, etc.). In the two countries – and elsewhere in the World – the rates at which landslides occur in an area depend on many factors, and are difficult to know precisely. Establishing the rates of landslide occurrence in an area is important to determine landslide hazards and the associated risk, and is particularly significant in an environment affected by climate change. To be able to decouple the effects of human induced and natural causes on the rate of landslides, one needs to know the rates of landslide occurrence for relatively long periods. This project aims at comparing the rates of landslide occurrence in selected areas in Italy and Taiwan. To determine the rates of landslide occurrence in an area, information on the temporal and spatial (geographical) evolution of landslides is essential. This information can be obtained from the analysis of high quality, multi-temporal, landslide inventory maps. The 2-year bilateral project is supported financially by the Italian Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, and the Taiwanese National Science Council.