Mass movement processes under changing climatic and socioeconomic conditions

Abstract

In recent years, natural hazards have caused increasing damage to infrastructures and human beings in the alpine regions. At the same time, the global mean temperature is rising, but for mass movement processes, there exists no direct connection between these two facts. It is not evident that rising global temperatures will intensify the triggering effect of extreme precipitation everywhere. This will probably vary spatially. In Austria, socioeconomic development has brought about the increase of real values, and the impact of unsustainable land use has often caused higher susceptibilities. Thus, also without adverse "climate change effects," the risks caused by natural hazards are increasing as a consequence of socioeconomic development. Sustainable spatial planning is required to control further challenges. Databases and methods for hazard and risk assessment have to be adapted to meet its requirements.