Forests and landslides
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Material Information

Title:
Forests and landslides The role of forests and forestry in the prevention and rehabilitation of landsclides in Asia
Creator:
The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC)
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Disaster Risk Reduction Program, Florida International University (FIU/DRR) ( summary contributor )
Place of Publication:
Rome
Italy
Publisher:
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Publication Date:
Copyright Date:
2012
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Landslides ( lcshac )
Forests and forestry ( lcshac )
Genre:
non-fiction ( marcgt )
Spatial Coverage:
Asia

Notes

Summary:
This is a policy brief on the role of forests and forestry in the prevention and rehabilitation of landslides in Asia. It outlines landslide types, the implications of climate change, rehabilitation following landslide, and provides overall recommendations. Landslides cause social, economic, and environmental damage through the loss of forest and agricultural resources, as well as damage to infrastructure and heritage sites. With predicted changes in rainfall and climate to come in the coming decades, along with intensified development in sloping areas, landslides will pose increasing risks to life and property in Asia. This brief starts with a short note that explains how forests help to prevent landslides. It explains how deep-rooted trees and shrubs, as opposed to crops, can reduce the occurrence of shallow rapidly-moving landslides. Land uses that increase slope instability include logging, road and trail construction, as well as forest conversion. Roads contribute the largest landslide erosion losses compared to other land uses. Given the close association between landslides, rainfall, and other climatic variables, increases in extreme rainfall events are likely to directly increase the frequency of landslides in sloping areas, while cyclones/typhoons may induce landslides by toppling trees, exposing bare soil and increasing water infiltration and slope failure. The paper discusses appropriate techniques for establishing vegetation for timely stabilization of sites affected by landslide. Exotic species may be necessary if quick stabilization is required. The paper also explains how the choice of tree species can affect the socio-economic benefits derived from the rehabilitated forests, and the importance of land tenure and regulatory environments in determining the suitability of different slope stabilization options. The document recommends the zoning of high risk areas, and the locating of settlements and activity away from debris fans and steep slopes through rational land-use planning. According to the paper, because the sustainable management of forests is dependent on the commitment of a range of stakeholders, it is important that land tenure and regulatory environments in the target area are conducive to achieving land stabilization goals. ( English )
Subject:
Disaster Risk Reduction ( English )
Citation/Reference:
(2012). Forests and landslides: the role of forests and forestry in the prevention and rehabilitation of landslides in Asia. The Center for People and Forests (RECOFTC), and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Record Information

Source Institution:
Florida International University
Rights Management:
Refer to main document/publisher for use rights

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Disaster Risk Reduction