How does land use affect vulnerability to mass movements?

Land use significantly affects vulnerability to mass movements by altering the natural stability of slopes and landscapes.

Land use refers to the human activities carried out on a particular area of land, such as agriculture, forestry, urbanisation, and mining. These activities can significantly influence the susceptibility of an area to mass movements, which are large-scale movements of rock, earth, or debris down a slope due to gravity.

Agriculture, for instance, often involves the removal of vegetation and the ploughing of land. This can destabilise slopes by removing the root systems that bind soil together, increasing the risk of soil erosion and landslides. Overgrazing by livestock can have a similar effect, as it can lead to the degradation of vegetation cover, leaving the soil exposed and more susceptible to erosion.

Urbanisation also plays a significant role in increasing vulnerability to mass movements. The construction of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure often involves significant earthworks, which can destabilise slopes and increase the risk of landslides. Furthermore, the removal of vegetation for construction purposes can lead to increased runoff, as there is less vegetation to absorb rainfall. This can result in higher soil saturation levels, which can trigger mass movements.

Forestry activities, particularly clear-cutting, can also increase the risk of mass movements. Trees not only help to bind soil together with their root systems, but they also help to absorb rainfall, reducing the risk of soil saturation. When large areas of forest are cut down, the soil can become destabilised and more susceptible to erosion and landslides.

Mining activities can also significantly increase the risk of mass movements. The excavation of large amounts of rock and soil can destabilise slopes, while the creation of waste heaps can create new, unstable slopes that are prone to collapse.

In conclusion, the way in which land is used can significantly affect its vulnerability to mass movements. Activities such as agriculture, urbanisation, forestry, and mining can all destabilise slopes and increase the risk of landslides and other mass movements. Therefore, careful land use planning and management is crucial in areas that are prone to these types of natural hazards.