Effects of forest harvesting on the occurrence of landslides and debris flows in steep terrain of central Japan

F Imaizumi; Roy C Sidle; R Kamei

doi:10.1002/esp.1574

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Effects of forest harvesting on the occurrence of landslides and debris flows in steep terrain of central Japan

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Effects of forest harvesting on the occurrence of landslides and debris flows in steep terrain of central Japan

F Imaizumi, Roy C Sidle and R Kamei

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Vol.33(6), pp.827-840

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.1574

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Abstract

Geology

Physical Geography and Environmental Geoscience

slope stability

forest management

landslide

debris flow

hydrogeomorphological processes

Landslides and debris flows associated with forest harvesting can cause much destruction and the influence of the timing of harvesting on these mass wasting processes therefore needs to be assessed in order to protect aquatic ecosystems and develop improved strategies for disaster prevention. We examined the effects of forest harvesting on the frequency of landslides and debris flows in the Sanko catchment (central Japan) using nine aerial photo periods covering 1964 to 2003. These photographs showed a mosaic of different forest ages attributable to the rotational management in this area since 1912. Geology and slope gradient are rather uniformly distributed in the Sanko catchment, facilitating assessment of forest harvesting effects on mass wasting without complication of other factors. Trends of new landslides and debris flows correspond to changes in slope stability explained by root strength decay and recovery; the direct impact of clearcutting on landslide occurrence was greatest in forest stands that were clearcut 1 to 10 yr earlier with progressively lesser impacts continuing up to 25 yr after harvesting. Sediment supply rate from landslides in forests clearcut 1 to 10 yr earlier was about 10-fold higher than in control sites. Total landslide volume in forest stands clearcut 0 to 25 yr earlier was 5.8 × 10 3 m 3 km -2 compared with 1.3 × 10 3 m 3 km -2 in clearcuts >25 yr, indicating a fourfold increase compared with control sites during the period when harvesting affected slope stability. Because landslide scars continue to produce sediment after initial failure, sediment supply from landslides continues for 45 yr in the Sanko catchment. To estimate the effect of forest harvesting and subsequent regeneration on the occurrence of mass wasting in other regions, changes in root strength caused by decay and recovery of roots should be investigated for various species and environmental conditions. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Details

Title: Effects of forest harvesting on the occurrence of landslides and debris flows in steep terrain of central Japan
Authors: F Imaizumi (Author) - University of Tsukuba, Japan
Roy C Sidle (Author) - Kyoto University
R Kamei (Author) - ING Life Insurance Company, Japan
Publication details: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, Vol.33(6), pp.827-840
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Date published: 2008
DOI: 10.1002/esp.1574
ISSN: 0197-9337
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449173102621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Geography, Physical; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

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