Remote Mountainous Areas Research Articles

Compositions and Origin of Cadmium and Lead in Snow Collected from Remote Mountain Area in Japan in a 2015 to 2018

2015年～2018年冬季において，高知県梶ヶ森山頂（標高1400 m）を含め15の遠隔地域及び遠隔山岳地域と1つの非遠隔地域において降雪試料（梶ヶ森9試料，他地点38試料）を採取し，主要化学組成（Na＋, NH4＋, K＋, Mg2＋, Ca2＋, F−, Cl−, NO2−, Br−, NO3−, PO43−）及びCd，Pb濃度を測定した．梶ヶ森で採取された降雪中のCd及びPb平均濃度はそれぞれ0.120 ± 0.039 μg L−1，2.370 ± 1.423 μg L−1であった．Pb/Cd比は9.69～40.4の範囲であった．それ以外の地点ではCd及びPb濃度はそれぞれ平均0.082 ± 0.073 μg L−1と平均1.791 ± 1.613 μg L−1であった．Pb/Cd比は1.87～65.2の範囲であった．梶ヶ森の降雪イベント時の後方流跡線は，黄海周辺及び河北省・遼寧省周辺を経由するグループと，朝鮮半島周辺及び吉林省・黒竜江省周辺を経由するグループの2つに分類できた．前者のグループでは，降雪中のPb/Cd比は15以下の相対的に低い値を示し，後者のグループでは15～40.4の相対的に高いPb/Cd比を示した．西日本のサンプリング地点と比較して，東日本のサンプリング地点における降雪中のPb/Cd比は27.1と相対的に高い値を示した．梶ヶ森から北西方向に直線状に配置したサンプリング地点では，遠隔山岳地域において同一降雪イベント時に降雪中に含まれるPb/Cd比の値が梶ヶ森と類似の値を示したが，非遠隔地域では大きく異なるPb/Cd比が得られた．

Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture Interventions in Mountain Areas—Lessons Learned From a 5-Country Project to Upscale Best Practices

Many people living in mountain regions in lowand middle-income countries are vulnerable to food and nutrition insecurity, which contributes to poor nutritional status. Food and nutrition security require stability of access to affordable, safe, diverse, and nutritious foods. In mountainous areas, affordability and access to diverse foods are challenged by climatic factors constraining agricultural production, poor infrastructure, and geographic isolation. This article describes a nutrition-sensitive agriculture (NSA) project focusing on 5 countries—Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Peru— where 132 microinterventions were implemented by rural service providers (RSPs) who received training and technical support from the project. These microinterventions serve as learning cases for advocacy work to promote the NSA approach at the local, national, and global levels. They are also documented on an Internet platform allowing RSPs and other stakeholders to share best practices and lessons learned at the national and global levels. Preliminary results indicate that this approach is highly effective in addressing nutrition and livelihood issues in remote mountain areas. To scale up the approach and boost its integration into policies at the local, national, and global levels, 2 aspects will be critical. First, more systemic and integrated NSA initiatives need to be implemented that functionally combine production- and consumption-related aspects to effectively change nutrition behavior and serve as learning cases for scaling up. Second, effective capacity development of RSPs and encouragement of interaction among them is key to empowering them as change agents.

Status of Fisheries at Megali Prespa Lake and Mikri Prespa Lake, Greece, Based on a Census of Fishermen's Opinions

Prespa is a remote mountain area in NW Greece, with two lakes shared between three countries. Monitoring data about fish and fisheries are absent. This paper presents the results of a census, designed to explore the socio-economic status of commercial capture fisheries based on data obtained from fishermen themselves. Interviews were held in 2012 with 51 persons owning or participating in the 53 fishing businesses of the area. Fisheries importance for local economy has shrunk but its role in employment, especially for the tertiary sector and its cultural dimensions retain some significance. Differences in fisheries between the two lakes were attributed mainly to environmental and physical differences. Fishermen number declines and age increases. Initial investment for starting a business was close to the average for other European countries. Fishing methods used are mostly passive and less demanding in investment and effort. The average yield (2.06 tonnes / fishing business) were close to the average values for Greece and other European countries. Income from fisheries represented c. 1.4% of the local annual gross product. Fishing has a good potential to survive as a supplementary occupation. The main issue that relates to the transboundary nature of the two lakes is the need for harmonised management measures and restrictions.

From Water Source to Tap of Ceramic Filters-Factors That Influence Water Quality Between Collection and Consumption in Rural Households in Nepal.

The study assessed changes in water quality between the water source and the tap of locally produced low cost ceramic water filters used by a community living in hygienically critical conditions in a remote mountainous area in Western Nepal. Data was collected from 42 rural households during two visits. The effectiveness of filter handling on its performance was assessed through microbiological analysis, structured household interviews and structured observations. Water quality decreased significantly when source water was filled into transport containers, while the use of the filters improved drinking water quality for about 40% of the households. Highly inadequate filter cleaning practices involving the use of contaminated raw water, hands (geo mean = 110 E. coli CFU/100 mL) and cleaning tools (geo mean = 80 E. coli CFU/100 mL) stained hygienic parts of the filter. The use of boiling water to disinfect the filters was significantly correlated with improved filter performance and should be further promoted. However, even disinfected filters achieved a very low average LRV for E. coli of 0.4 in the field and performed worse than during laboratory tests (LRV for E. coli of 1.5–2). Comprehensive training on adequate filter handling, as well as better filter products, are required to improve the impact of filter use.

Perceptions of Health Risks from Hot Weather, and Coping Behaviors among Ethnic Minority Groups in Mountain Areas of China: A Case Study in the Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

Limited research focuses on risk perceptions of hot weather among ethnic minority groups in remote mountain areas of China. Adopting a multi-stage sampling method, this study received completed questionnaires from 643 participates in Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of China in 2017 and 2018. We used multivariate logistic regression models to explore the factors affecting risk perceptions and coping behaviors with regards to hot weather. Results showed that despite a relatively high level of risk perception, the study population in the mountain areas of China had a very low level of preparedness in responding to the risks from heat, and a lack of professional health knowledge in general. In particular, 61.3% (95% CI: 57.1%−5.6%) of the participants felt increasing temperatures in recent years, 73.2% (95% CI: 69.3%−7.0%) thought extreme high temperatures would be a health threat, and 61.3% (95% CI: 57.1%−5.4%) reported physical discomfort during hot weather. However, only 12% (95% CI: 9.5%−4.5%) had the information or knowledge to stay healthy during the extreme high temperatures, and only 24.2% had (95% CI: 20.8%−7.6%) preparation. The logistic regression models suggested that ethnic group, health status, marital status, gender, and employment could affect their perceptions, which could significantly affect the adoption of coping behaviors. In conclusion, our findings have significant implications for developing policies and health education and promotion programs for ethnic minorities in remote regions to maintain good health during hot weather.

Is the Groundwater in the Hunshandake Desert (Northern China) of Fossil or Meteoric Water Origin? Isotopic and Hydrogeochemical Evidence

To gain an insight into the origin of groundwater in the Hunshandake Desert (HSDK), stable and radioactive isotopes and the major ion hydrochemistry of groundwater, as well as other natural waters, were investigated in this desert. The results showed that the groundwaters in the HSDK are freshwater (total dissolved solid (TDS) < 700 mg/L) and are depleted in δ2H and δ18O when compared with the modern precipitation. The major water types are the Ca–HCO3 and Ca/Mg–SO4 waters. No Cl-type and Na-type waters occurred in the study area. The ionic and depleted stable isotopic signals in groundwater, as well as the high values of tritium contents (5–25 TU), indicate that the groundwaters studied here are young but not of fossil and meteoric water origin, i.e., out of control by the modern and palaeo-direct recharge. A clear difference in the isotopic signals are observed between the groundwaters in the north and south parts of the study area, but the signals are similar between the groundwaters in the north HSDK catchment and its neighboring catchment, the Dali Basin. The topographical elevation decreases from the south (1396 m a.s.l.) to the north (1317 m a.s.l.) and the Dali (1226 m a.s.l.). Groundwaters in the north are characterized by lower chloride and TDS concentrations, higher tritium contents, higher deuterium excess, and more depleted values of δ2H and δ18O than those in the south. The spatial distribution pattern of these environmental parameters indicates a discrepancy between the hydraulic gradient of groundwater and the isotopic and hydrochemical gradients of groundwater in the HSDK, suggesting different recharge sources between the two parts in the desert. A combined analysis using the isotopic and physiochemical data of natural waters collected from the Dali Basin and the surrounding mountains was performed to investigate this problem. It indicates that groundwaters in the HSDK Desert are recharged from remote mountain areas (about 150–200 km to the east and southeast) but not from the north neighboring catchment.

A Rapid Detection Method for Bridges Based on Impact Coefficient of Standard Bumping

The evaluation method of load transfer efficiency using falling weight deflectometer is unworkable in remote mountain areas and transportation difficult region. Therefore, a novation method of load transfer efficiency evaluation is proposed using the index of amplitude ratio. Finite element method is applied to study the influence of dowel bar parameters (diameter, length, spacing, and elastic modulus) and pavement structures parameters (thickness and modulus) on load transfer efficiency, frequency, and the ratio of amplitude. Results of finite element model show that the effects of dowel bar and pavement structure parameters on load transfer efficiency and the ratio of amplitude are similar. The load transfer efficiency, frequency, and the ratio of amplitude enhance with the increase of dowel bar diameter, length, and elastic modulus and the decrease of dowel bar spacing. The subgrade modulus has more significant influence on the load transfer efficiency, frequency, and the ratio of amplitude than other pavement parameters. Polynomial function method is utilized to established load transfer mode between deflection-based load transfer efficiency and the ratio of amplitude. The feasibility and reliability of new method is verified by static and dynamic load test. All results are helpful for the development of highway engineering and airport engineering.

Impact of tourism development on the local livelihoods and land cover change in the Northern Vietnamese highlands

In the 1990s, some districts in the Northern Vietnamese highlands were opened for international tourism. The development of tourism was expected to bring a new income source to remote mountain areas. This paper analyzes the association between tourism development, local livelihoods and land cover change at the household level. Sa Pa district was selected as a case study. In 25 rural villages within Sa Pa, 487 households were interviewed. This allowed us to classify rural households in three livelihood types: (1) full-time farming, (2) farming with limited involvement in tourism and (3) farming and major involvement in tourism activities. Next, the association between tourism and land cover change at the household level was quantified. The results show that the introduction of tourism increased the living standard of the ethnic minorities and led to more intensive farming systems with forest regrowth on abandoned fields. Nevertheless, the involvement in tourism is location dependent.

A new electromagnetic vibrational energy harvesting device for swaying cables

An original vibrational energy harvesting device with regard to the vibrational performance of far-end cables was designed under the condition that no power can be supplied to the far end of freight cableways in transmission and distribution projects. The device was designed to have a Y-shaped radial gear-rack structure. The random vibrations of the cable are converted into three one-way rotary motions of a Y-shaped device terminal using a Y-shaped rack unit and one-way gear-rack units. The device then harvests the electric energy through a super-capacitor and supplies power to equipment in areas out of the reach of the power supply along the cableway. An analysis and dynamic simulation of the Y-shaped rack unit and one-way gear-rack units demonstrate that the Y-shaped layout of the device adapts well to the random vibration of the cable. The device was proven to have successfully harvested the vibrational energy of the cable in several directions on its radial plane, showing good prospects in supplying power to far-end wireless surveillance equipment for freight cableways in remote mountainous areas.

Constructing the Model of Aboriginal Tribal Social Enterprises from the Concept of Social Economic Enterprises

Taiwan's aboriginal tribes have long been affected by political forces and market economy model, and the aboriginal people living in remote mountainous areas with lack of information have met with a lot of economic and social problems and challenges such as loss of land and traditional culture, aging population and stagnation of tribal industry development. Therefore, the original self-sufficient tribes began to prone to “poverty”, and this is one of the most critical social issues for Taiwan to cope with. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the concept of "social economy" in the aboriginal tribes, to develop and restore the sharing economic cooperation model, to increase collective interests and to set up tribal social enterprises, so as to address the crucial social issues.This study will adopt the method and experience of socio-economic analysis to study the action plan of Seediq, a division of Taiwanese aboriginals, and their experience of social and economic organization and operation, and reflection on the social enterprise system. The main research is to explore the social economy in the Meixi tribe, the status quo and future development, and how to employ social innovation to promote the tribal social enterprise planning and business model.

Genetic Diversity and Drug Susceptibility of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates in a Remote Mountain Area of China

ObjectiveWe determined the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) in a remote mountainous area of southwest China and evaluated the resolving ability of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping combined with variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) genotyping for Beijing family strains in association with drug resistance status. MethodsThree hundred thirty-one MTB strains were isolated from patients living in mountainous regions of southwest China, and 8-loci SNP, VNTR-15 genotyping assays, and drug susceptibility testing of 9 drugs were performed. ResultsA total of 183 [55.29% (183/331)] strains were classified into the Beijing family. Of the 183 strains, 111 (60.66%) were defined as modern Beijing strains. The most predominant modern Beijing sub-lineage and ancient Beijing sub-lineage were Bmyc10 [39.34% (72/183)] and Bmyc25 [20.77% (38/183)], respectively. Of the isolates, 19.64% (65/331) were resistant to at least 1 of the 9 anti-TB drugs and 17 [4.98% (17/331)] MTB isolates were multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Two hundred sixty-one isolates showed a clustering rate of 14.18% (37/261) and a discriminatory index of 0.9990. The Beijing lineage exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of MDR-TB, as well as resistance to isoniazid (INH), rifampin (RIF), and para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) when analyzed independently (P = 0.005, P = 0.017, P = 0.014, and P = 0.006 respectively). The Beijing lineage was not associated with genetic clustering or resistance to any drug. In addition, genetic clustering was not associated with drug resistance. ConclusionMTB strains demonstrate high genetic diversity in remote mountainous areas of southwest China. Beijing strains, especially modern Beijing strains, are predominant in remote mountainous area of China. The combination of 8-loci SNPs and VNTR-15 genotyping is a useful tool to study the molecular epidemiology of MTB strains in this area.

Speciation Analysis of Iron in Long Distance Transported Aerosols in Wet Deposition Collected from Remote Mountain Area Using a Laboratory X-ray Absorption Spectrometer

Speciation Analysis of Iron in Long Distance Transported Aerosols in Wet Deposition Collected from Remote Mountain Area Using a Laboratory X-ray Absorption Spectrometer

Palynology of the Morro do Chaves Formation (Lower Cretaceous), Sergipe Alagoas Basin, NE Brazil: Paleoenvironmental implications for the early history of the South Atlantic

The break-up of Gondwana and the origin of related source rocks and reservoir intervals of the Brazilian coastal basins are being increasingly studied in the last decades. In this context the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin, which lies to the north of the Campos Basin hydrocarbon province, becomes relevant for the completeness of its depositional sequences. This paper presents, for the first time, the detailed palynological record from the Morro do Chaves Formation, located at the InterCement Quarry, near São Miguel dos Campos, Alagoas. The analysis of samples from the mudstone intervals of the unit mainly composed by coquinas has enabled new biostratigraphic, paleoenvironmental and paleogeographic interpretations of the evolution of the South Atlantic. The occurrence of the species Dicheiropollis etruscus, with a vertical distribution ranging from the Berriasian to the Barremian, supports the late Barremian age for the lowermost part of the Morro do Chaves Formation, traditionally interpreted as having been deposited in a lacustrine environment, close to herbaceous plants, surrounded by remote mountainous areas with arboreal vegetation. The occurrence of algae phycomata of the Class Prasinophyceae, associated with Scenedesmus and Botryoccocus, organisms that tolerate some salinity in its uppermost part, together with other biotic and abiotic data, corroborate the possibility of relating the Morro do Chaves Formation to a marine and/or brackish depositional environment, which may have resulted from a marine flooding in the northern sector of the Sergipe-Alagoas Basin during Early Cretaceous times. The results of this work support a paleogeographic model characterized by an episodic input of Tethyan waters towards the north of the South American continent.

The Deterioration of Morocco’s Vegetable Crop Genetic Diversity: An Analysis of the Souss-Massa Region

Crop domestication and breeding efforts during the last half-century in developed countries has significantly reduced the genetic diversity in all major vegetable crops grown throughout the world. This includes developing countries such as Morocco, in which more than 90% of all farms are less than 10 ha in size, which are generally maintained by subsistence farmers who try to maximize crop and animal productivity on a limited land area. Near Agadir, in the remote Anti-Atlas mountain areas of the Souss-Massa region, many small landowner vegetable growers are known to still utilize crop populations (landraces). Thus, an assessment of the current status of vegetable landraces was made in this mountainous region of Southwestern Morocco during 2014. This assessment indicated that a significant loss of vegetable crop landraces has occurred in the last 30 years in this region of Morocco. Although many vegetable crops are still maintained as landrace populations by small subsistence farmers in remote areas in the Souss-Massa region, only 31% of these farmers cultivated landraces and saved seed in the villages assessed, with the average farmer age cultivating landraces being 52 years old. Moreover, the approximated loss of vegetable crop landraces over the last 30 years was an astounding 80 to 90%. Vegetable crops notably lost during this time period included carrot (Daucus carota), fava beans (Vicia faba), melon (Cucumis melo), pea (Pisum sativum), watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicon). The most significant loss was tomato as no landraces of this crop were found in this region. The vegetable crop landraces that are still widely grown included carrot, melon, onion (Allium cepa), turnip (Brassica rapa var. rapa), and watermelon, while limited amounts of eggplant (Solanum melongea), fava bean, pea, pepper (Capsicum annuum), and pumpkin (Cucurbita moshata and C. maxima) were found. This recent genetic deterioration will have a profound influence on future Moroccan agricultural productivity, as the genetic diversity within these landraces may be the only resource available to allow these smaller subsistence farmers to cope with changing environmental conditions for the optimization of crop production in their harsh climate.

Microplastics in Swiss Floodplain Soils.

Microplastics (MPs) are small (<5 mm diameter) but have clear implications for the environment. These artificial particles are found in and pose threats to aquatic systems worldwide. MPs have terrestrial sources, but their concentrations and fates in the terrestrial environment are poorly understood. While global plastic production continues to increase, so do the environmental concentrations and impacts of MPs. In this first study of MPs in floodplain soils, we developed a method for identifying, quantifying, and measuring the sizes of most commonly produced MPs in soil by FT-IR microscopy. For small MP (<1 mm) analysis, MP were separated by density separation and oxidation of organic matter. In this study we analyzed 29 floodplains in Swiss nature reserves associated with catchments covering 53% of Switzerland. We found evidence that 90% of Swiss floodplain soils contain MPs. The highest MP concentrations were associated with the concentration of mesoplastics (5 mm - 2.5 cm diameter), indicating plastic waste as source. Furthermore, MP concentration was correlated with the population of the catchment. The wide distribution of MPs, their presence in remote unsettled high mountain areas, decoupling of MEP and MP compositions, and the dominance of MPs by small (<500 μm diameter) particles, indicate that MPs enter soils via diffuse aeolian transport.

Forest Dilemma in the Hindu Raj Mountains Northern Pakistan: Impact of Population Growth and Household Dynamics

Mountain ecosystems are fragile and sensitive to changes. The past few decades have witnessed substantial changes in every aspect of the bio-physical and socio-cultural environment of the northern mountainous belt of Pakistan. Population growth and the associated household dynamics accompanied by agricultural and economic transformations and improvements in transportation network have initiated and accelerated unprecedented changes in the bio-physical setup particularly land use patterns and distribution of natural resources. Forests resources are one of the most important natural assets of this region and several communities in remote mountainous areas of the region still depend on these resources for subsistence. The present study aims to explore the changes occurring in the socio-economic environment particularly population growth and household dynamics and their impacts on forest cover and diversity of the Hindu Raj Mountains of northern Pakistan. The study relies on remote sensing and GIS technology for characterizing forest cover dynamics and questionnaire data for household changes. Findings reveal that significant changes have occurred in the basic household characteristics and population changes are resulting in a high rate of deforestation in the study area.

The Karen villagers’ knowledge development in road construction: a case study of Panoki –Kopadoh (PNK) route

The Karen, of Panoki village agreed to upgrade the unpaved PNK route to a bamboo reinforced concrete road which used money from the donation. At the beginning of the road construction project, 2010, there were many problems concerned with construction technique and accidents. Civil Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) was invited to be a road construction consultant of Panoki-Kopadoh (PNK) route during 2012 to 2017. As the villages of Panoki in Tak province and Kopadoh in Chiang Mai province are in Thailand’s northern remote mountainous areas connected by a 16.5 km unpaved narrow track of Panoki-Kopadoh (PNK) route. In fact, the majority of volunteer villagers understand only the Karen language, lack the basic construction skills, and show no regard for personal safety and hygiene. The consulting team thus provided a training program prior to construction and assisted with technical advice since the onset of the project. As an achievement of the project depends on people participation, this research is to examine the pre-and post-training local workers’ knowledge development and attitudes toward the academic services provided by KMITL through direct observations, a Likert-scale-based questionnaire, and in-depth interviews. The findings reveal that the participating villagers have learned to construct a bamboo reinforced concrete road and are intent on applying the knowledge to similar projects in the future. They exhibit the higher level of knowledge development following the training and also hold a positive attitude toward KMITL’s academic services.

Vegetable Production Scenario in Trans-Himalayan Leh Ladakh Region, India

&lt;p&gt;The high altitude trans-Himalayan Ladakh region remains cut-off for over six months in a year due to heavy snowfall. Long harsh winters reduce the cropping season to just four to five months in a year. Single-cropping is dominant and agriculture production is entirely based on irrigation. The average land holding is small and emphasis has been on minimal use of off-farm inputs. Meeting the fresh vegetable requirement of the burgeoning local population, defence forces and the incoming tourists in this remote mountainous area is a formidable challenge.Very few vegetable types were traditionally grown in Ladakh. Significant progress has been made since 1960s in promoting vegetable cultivation in the region. The vegetable production scenario and consumption choices have undergone drastic changes, compared to what was available some decades back. Agro-techniques and vegetable production calendar in Ladakh differs from lowland parts of the country. Vegetable farms are smaller with an average 0.2 acre. The area of vegetable production constitutes 5.5 per cent of the total 10,319 hectares of agricultural land in Leh district. The widely grown vegetables were potato (75.6 per cent), peas (10.7 per cent), onion (3.4 per cent), cabbage (3.3 per cent), carrot (2.0 per cent) and cauliflower (1.8 per cent). Preference for potato, onion, cabbage and carrot was largely contributed to the desired long term storage capacity for consumption during the landlocked winter months. Supply to the army and tourism industry is the major factor for rapid transformation of vegetable production in the region. Critical areas that need focused attention include technology for vegetable production in winter months, post harvest management, seed production, organic certification, area expansion, harnessing niches and building stronger linkages between growers and consumers.&lt;/p&gt;

Revealing spatial and temporal patterns of outdoor recreation in the European Alps and their surroundings

Outdoor recreation contributes vitally to human well-being, but spatio-temporal mapping on large scales of this ecosystem service is rarely addressed in a comprehensive manner. In this study, we aim to map recreation supply, demand, and flow, combining different approaches and data sources, including spatially explicit indicators and crowd-sourced information from social media. We analyse spatial and temporal patterns in the European Alps and their surrounding areas (Alpine Space area) and explore societal preferences. Our results indicate that especially mountainous areas provide high ecosystem service supply, while high demand is characteristic of strongly urbanised areas. The spatio-temporal pattern of flow hot spots shows two major trends: recreational landscapes around urban agglomerations are frequented all year round, whereas visitation rates in remote mountain areas depend greatly on the season. By means of a cluster analysis, we identify five types of municipalities, distinguishing municipalities with little importance for recreation, prevailing demand, or supply, and highly used areas. Further, our results suggest that societal preferences can be explained by landscape attributes and tourism infrastructure. In addition to revealing a large-scale spatio-temporal pattern, this study explores methodological possibilities to provide a basis for decision-making and landscape planning regarding recreational ecosystem services.

Spatial Distribution of Landslide Risk and Exposure Based on CART Model and GIS Technology - Case Study of Panzhihua Basin, Yangtze River, China

Spatial distribution of natural disaster risk has been taking as a reference in urban planning and disaster management. Especially to the remote mountainous areas located in southwestern China where landslide disaster could cause enormous damage. In those areas, only few exposure researches could reveal disaster risk and exposure distribution which related to landslide occurrence since lack of landslide indicator information. This research aimed at combining landslide risk mapping with highly exposure mapping to reveal distribution of highly landslide exposure in a remote mountainous area: Panzhihua basin, Yangtze River, China. In this research, 203 landslide point data (103 occurrences and 100 absences) were collected based on governmental landslide inventory and fieldwork to build CART (Classification and Regression Tree) model, which was applied to investigate the relationship between landslide disaster and four independent variables (vegetation, elevation, slope and top soil type). Finally, we developed a landslide-prone hazard map based on transportation, threatened population and property distribution to illustrate potential socioeconomic damage of landslide occurrence. The output maps show that landslide-prone area basically follows valley stretch and Yangtze Rivers. Northeastern and center zone in study area are classified with higher risk to generate landslide disaster. Threaten population and property exposure shows similar distribution in northeastern and northwestern areas while detached in center and southeastern areas. To the transportation sector, there are 75.3km of local road, 8.6km of main road, 29.5km of railway and 39.2km of national highway are highly exposed to landslide occurrence respectively.