Stoffel Markus
Evidence of past debris-flow activity at Illgraben (Valais Alps, Switzerland) from wood anatomical and dendrogeomorphological analysis of injured broad-leaved trees
Project Number: CH-4834
Project Type: |
Master |
Project Duration: |
12/01/2007 - 12/01/2008 project completed |
Funding Source: |
other , |
Leading Institution: |
Université de Genève |
Project Leader: |
Prof. Markus Stoffel Full Professor Climate Change Impacts and Risks in the Anthropocene (C-CIA) Institut des Sciences de l`Environnement Université de Genève Boulevard Carl Vogt 66 1205 Genève Phone: +41 (0) 79 340 39 89 ; +41 (0) 22 379 06 89 FAX: +41 (0) 22 379 32 10 e-Mail: markus.stoffel(at)unige.ch http://www.dendrolab.ch;https://c-cia.ch/ |
Research Areas:
Disciplines:
Keywords:
debris flows, wood anatomy, dendrogeomorphology, injuries, broad-leaved trees, Swiss Alps
Abstract:
Dendrogeomorphological analyses have been regularly used over the last few decades to date debris-flow events. Previous studies have almost exclusively been conducted with conifers. As a consequence, broad-leaved trees have been widely disregarded. It is therefore the aim of this study to further determine their suitability for dendrogeo-morphological research on debris flows. Results were obtained from deciduous tree species (Alnus incana (L.) Moench, Betula sp., Populus sp., Salix caprea L. and Sambucus nigra L.) injured by debris flows inside the Illgraben channel (Valais Alps, Switzerland).
Firstly, wood anatomical analysis of 19 cross-sections and one wedge from 20 injured Alnus incana (L.) Moench trees revealed that vessel percentage offered no significant evidence of past debris-flow activity, whereas vessel size provided some substantial evidence on that matter. Secondly, dendrogeomorphological analysis of 104 increment cores, 118 wedges and 93 cross-sections from 154 injured broad-leaved trees allowed reconstruction of 13 debris-flow event years between AD 1965 and 2007. Breakout locations of events were determined as well. It appears from the data that debris flows only rarely left the Illgraben channel over the period examined. This study emphasizes the high potential of broad-leaved trees for dendrogeomorphological research.
Leading questions:
Are broad-leaved trees suitable for dendrogeomorphological research on debris flows?
Publications:
Arbellay, Estelle. 2012. The Potential of Broad-leaved Trees for Dendrogeomorphic Research: Wood Anatomical Analysis of Injuries. PhD Thesis, University of Geneva.
Arbellay E, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M. 2010. Wood anatomical analysis of Alnus incana and Betula pendula injured by a debris-flow event. Tree Physiology 30, 1290-1298 (2010).
Arbellay E, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M. 2010. Dendrogeomorphic reconstruction of past debris-flow activity using injured broad-leaved trees. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms 35, 399-406 (2010).
pdf Publikation
Archiv Naturpark Pfyn-Finges: Ordner A-BI / Publikation 1
Arbellay E, Stoffel M, Bollschweiler M. 2010. Reconstitution dendrogéomorphologique d’événements de lave torrentielle à l’aide de feuillus blessés. In: Panorama de la dendrochronologie en France. Coordinateurs: Astrade L, Miramont C. Collection EDYTEM, No 11, pp. 97-106.
Arbellay, Estelle. 2008. Evidence of past debris-flow activity at Illgraben
(Valais Alps, Switzerland) from wood anatomical and dendrogeomorphological analysis of injured broad-leaved trees. Master Thesis, University of Fribourg.
pdf Masterarbeit
Archiv Naturpark Pfyn-Finges: Ordner A-BI / Publikation 2
Last update: 9/27/22
Source of data: ProClim- Research InfoSystem (1993-2024)
Update the data of project: CH-4834
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