Abstract
We have compared maps of landslide activity and hazard, developed with the use of two different dendrochronological indicators: tree-ring eccentricity and reaction (compression) wood. The maps were prepared based on 125 Norway spruce ( Picea abies L. Karst.) trees growing at 44 sampling points, distributed over an area of 3.75 km 2 . In general, the two maps show similar patterns of landslide activity. However, tree-ring eccentricity yielded a greater number of dated events (246) compared to compression wood (129). Besides the differences in the absolute values of dating results, the general landslide activity and hazard zonation based on both disturbances are similar. Both growth disturbances develop as a result of stem tilting. Eccentricity develops after slight tilting, while compression wood is developed when tilting is more significant. Because of the differences in the strength of disturbing factors, which cause the development of compression wood and growth eccentricity, the best approach would be to combine the results of dating obtained from the two methods. The dendrochronological analysis of tree growth disturbances (eccentric growth and compression wood) is a promising approach for determining landslide hazards in forested mountain areas and can be applied in spatial management.
Highlights
According to the report of the World Bank, the area of land exposed to landslides on Earth reaches 3.7 million km2, with a population of 300 million people, which makes 5% of the world population (Kjekstad and Highland, 2009)
In the trees sampled in the study area, we identified a total of 375 growth disturbances, including both eccentric growth and compression wood
We identified 246 (65.6%) events of tree-ring eccentricity and 129 (34.4%) events of compression wood (Fig. 2)
Summary
According to the report of the World Bank, the area of land exposed to landslides on Earth reaches 3.7 million km, with a population of 300 million people, which makes 5% of the world population (Kjekstad and Highland, 2009). The increase in the world population and the settlement of areas endangered by landslides makes it necessary to develop methods of landslide hazard assessment (Petley, 2010). Landslides cause high economic losses; e.g. in Japan, Italy and India, they have been estimated at 1 billion USD per year (Schuster and Fleming, 1986). Huge costs may result even from a single landslide activity event; e.g. destructive landslides triggered in the northwestern USA by an Mw 6.8 earthquake (28.02.2001) caused economic losses of ~2 billion USD (Highland, 2003).
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