Landslide Mapping in Austria

Luxemburg

2009

61 S.

Bandaufführung

154775

Within the framework of the European Union's Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection and the related proposal for a Soil Framework Directive (Commission of the European Communities, 2006a, 2006b) the Institute for Environment and Sustainability of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission and the Geological Survey of the Federal State of Lower Austria (Am der Niederösterreichischen Landesregierung) have jointly undertaken a study of landslide inventories, susceptibility, hazard and risk maps available in Austria in 2008. The EU Thematic Strategy, which regards soils as valuable not only as a natural resource but also as the platform for development of human activities, considers landslides as one of the main threats to European soils. In order to preserve soils and their function, the strategy calls for identification of areas at risk from soil threats, thus including landslides, using comparable approaches throughout EU Member States, as well as for risk reduction and mitigation measures. This study is also particularly relevant to Austrian authorities, organisations and inviduals dealing with landslide mapping and, in general, with landslide risk management throughout the country. In this study, a review of available publications was carried out followed by the analysis of the response to a questionnaire sent to most organisations dealing with landslides in Austria (see Annex 1). Such analysis was complemented by discussions with the respondents and other landslide experts in Austria. Finally, some recommendations to improve landslide risk management in the country are provided.