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/

related to this project.
for which the project has a relevance.


Research Areas:
Landscape

Disciplines:
environmental sciences

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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