National and regional story (Italy) - Landslide monitoring and forecasting of impacts of climate change

A case study on methods for monitoring unstable slopes in Liechtenstein has been developed as part of the ClimChAlp project. A village with 2 600 inhabitants and substantial property values lies on the large Triesenberg slide area in the Alpine Rhine Valley. Using a targeted research strategy, the complex interconnections between the decisive factors (topography, hydrogeology, meteorology) and slope movement were surveyed.      
Especially the hydrogeological survey of the slide mass and the surrounding areas as well as the continuous recording of the dynamics of weather, groundwater, and the slide have generated new insights. On the basis of a reliable spatial numerical model of the groundwater situation (pore water pressure) and the slide movement, the sensitivity of the slide system to climatic changes (amount of precipitation) was recorded, and the potential impact of large-scale changes of the groundwater situation on the slide area were forecast.
Thanks to this comprehensive research strategy, the impact of climatic changes in the Alpine region on unstable slopes can in future be analysed as scenarios, and the effectiveness of any future rehabilitation measures can be evaluated.