Relevance of database for the management of historical information on climatic and geomorphological processes interacting with high mountain landscapes

Abstract

In the framework of the activities of the GeoClimAlp research group (Geomorphological impacts of Climate change in the Alps), a system of databases has been developed for the storage and management of glacial, periglacial and mountain digital resources, related to the Greater Alpine Region in general, and to the North-Western Italian Alps in particular. These resources are historical documents, publications, photos, aerial photographs, antique and recent maps, instrumental and survey data, related to: (i) alpine glaciers; (ii) natural instability processes and landforms in glacial/periglacial areas; (iii) hydro-climatic conditions of the alpine areas. This wealth of knowledge is mainly referred to the last 150 years. The GeoClimAlp digital resources stored in these databases are mainly used to: (i) study the spatial-temporal evolution of alpine glaciers; (ii) study the geomorphological processes, and in particular natural instability, that occur at high altitude (over 2000 m a.s.l.), in particular as a consequence of climate change; (iii) assess the hydro-climatic conditions of the glacial/periglacial and mountain areas; (iv) conduct research on climate change in the alpine environment.