TXT-tool 1.504-1.1: Landslide inventory educational methodology derived from experiences in Latin America

Abstract

This document provides details and summarizes experiences of an educational methodology program for landslide inventory mapping and characterization. Different application cases are described to show the implementation of the educational tool. The methodology utilizes multiple resources, including aerial photographs, satellites images, digital elevation models (DEM), and geographic information systems (GIS). These tools allowed trainees, even beginners, to quickly start developing their own inventory maps. In first place, application cases of this educational methodology are introduced. These include projects developed by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Honduras, a virtual seminar instructed by the Pan-American Center for Geographical Studies and Research (CEPEIGE) of Ecuador and intensive training activities with government officials executed with the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) ENHANS project planned for Chile, Ecuador and Peru. A general educational methodology was extracted from these activities and the current document describes its core aspects so it can be replicated for similar learning endeavors. This consolidated program for landslide education was established in order to teach basic tools for landslide identification and characterization at local scales and was proposed for academic staff and professional specialists. It focused on a combination of stereoscopic interpretation and topographic feature analysis of aerial photographs, satellite images, field surveys and application of GIS tools. Objectives, procedures, evaluation methods, profile of the participants and instructors and general requirements are established to enable interested parties to use this document as a reference for organization of related landslide inventory training. This type of program can be a fundamental and low-cost input for other landslide studies. Subsequent educational activities will have to include evaluation guidelines for preparation of trainers in order to attain a continuous socialization of the knowledge and skills required for landslide mapping.