Project

Modelling & reconstruction of landscape evolution and landslide dynamics in the Central Mountain area of Taiwan

By Dr. J.M. Schoorl et al.

In cooporation with National Taiwan University and Kainan University

Rationale:
In our group a considerable amount of landscape system modelling experience has been gained over the past years. A major problem is lack of suitable data sets which allow calibration and validation of such models at the appropriate temporal and spatial resolution and extent.
So far it has been impossible to separate water driven surface erosion from gravity driven landslide components in current landscape evolution studies and modelling approaches. Furthermore, it is important to understand the human induced erosion sediment contribution. To solve the aforementioned issues we propose to study the landscape process dynamics of the 763.4 km2 Shihmen watershed (Taiwan). Our results will contribute to a better understanding of the sediment supply of rivers draining mountainous catchments. In addition, It is of societal relevance to understand to what extent the river sediment supply can be controlled by managing human factors to prevent damage to (drinking) water reservoirs. The study will give insight in the adaptive capacity of mountainous areas.

References:

  1. J.G.S. Keijsers, J.M. Schoorl, K.-T. Chang, S.-H. Chiang, L. Claessens and A. Veldkamp 2011. Calibration and resolution effects on model performance for predicting shallow landslide locations in Taiwan. Geomorphology 133 (3-4), pp. 168-177.
  2. Schoorl, J.M.; Chang, K.T.; Chiu, Y.J.; Veldkamp, A. (2009). Landscape Dynamics: Calibrating landscape process modelling with Caesium-137 data, separating water driven erosion from landslides? In: Proceedings of The International Conference in Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake. Sessions on Land Dynamics in Mountainous Watersheds: Typhoons, Landslides, and Land Use, Taipei, Taiwan, 17-21 September 2009.
  3. Veldkamp, A.; Schoorl, J.M.; Claessens, L. (2009). Advances in modeling Land Dynamics in mountainous environments. In: Proceedings of The International Conference in Commemoration of the 10th Anniversary of the 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake. Sessions on Land Dynamics in Mountainous Watersheds: Typhoons, Landslides, and Land Use, Taipei, Taiwan, 17-21 September 2009.
  4. Joep Keijsers, 2009: MSc thesis: Modelling shallow landslide locations in Taiwan. 47pp.
  5. Jasper Tolsma, 2009: MSc thesis: Modelling suspended sediment load from shallow landslides in Taiwan. 48 pp. 
  6. Kang-Tsung Chang, Shou-Hao Chiang and Mei-Ling Hsu, 2007. Modeling typhoon- and earthquake-induced landslides in a mountainous watershed using logistic regression Geomorphology, Volume 89, Issues 3-4, 335-347.
  7. Kang-tsung Chang, Shou-Hao Chiang, Feng Lei, 2007. Analysing the Relationship Between Typhoon-Triggered Landslides and Critical Rainfall Conditions. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. Early View
  8. Claessens, L., Schoorl, J.M. and A. Veldkamp. 2007. Modelling the location of shallow landslides and their effects on landscape dynamics in large watersheds: an application for Northern New Zealand. Geomorphology, Volume 87, Issues 1-2, p 16 – 27.
  9. M. Braakhekke, 2007: MSc Thesis: Landslides under Construction, modelling controls on slope stability in a mountainous watershed, Taiwan.