A. S. DHAKAL, University of Tsukuba; T. AMADA, University of Tsukuba; M. ANIYA, University of Tsukuba

Landslide Hazard Mapping and the Application of GIS in the Kulekhani Watershed, Nepal

A study is presented of the application of GIS to landslide hazard mapping. Two methods of statistical analysis are employed: the failure rate (FR) and quantification scaling type II (Q-S II). The study area is the Kulekhani watershed (124 km2), located in central Nepal. A map showing the distribution of landslides was produced from air photograph interpretation and field checking. This was used to analyze the important terrain factors influencing landslide initiation. The factors employed were slope gradient, slope aspect, elevation, geology, land use/cover, proximity to fault lines, and drainage density. Each factor was divided into several classes. The influencing factors were first determined from the FR analysis and were then considered for the Q-S II analysis. Also, two of the influencing factors were overlaid in turn to produce combined-factor layers (consisting of combined-classes). This was used as the basis for another FR analysis. Geology was found to be the most important factor influencing landslide activity. Other important factors were elevation and land use/cover. Based on the results of the three analyses, three hazard maps were produced each with four levels of hazard classes: high; moderate; less; and least. The area occupied by the different hazard classes do not show substantial variation from map to map. In general, about four percent of the study area fell into the "high hazard class." The "moderate," "less," and "least" hazard classes occupied about a quarter, a half, and a fifth of the total study area, respectively.

AXEL THOMAS, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität

Overview of the Geoecology of the Gonnga Shan Range, Sichuan Province, China

The Gongga Shan range, named after its highest peak Gongga Shan (30° N, 102° E, 7,556 m), is located in the transition zone between the Tibetan Plateau and the South Chinese plains. With a vertical difference of more than 6,300 m within a horizontal distance of only 11km, the eastward drop towards the Sichuan Basin is one of the largest in the world. At the same altitude the western slope is clearly warmer and drier than the eastern slope that is exposed to the summer monsoon. The upper limits of the various geoecological belts are up to 300 m higher on the western than on the eastern slope. This asymmetry cannot be explained by topoclimatological effects but by the mass-elevation effect of the Tibetan Plateau. It is regarded as a typical characteristic of the ranges bordering the Plateau. In contrast to other Chinese mountain ranges, the Gongga Shan range still has an extensive area of primary coniferous and deciduous forests up to an elevation of 4,000 m. The current policy of unrestricted logging, however, threatens to destroy these forests within 10_15 years.

KARL TILMAN ROST, Göttingen University

Observations on Deforestation and Alpine Turf Destruction in the Central Wutai Mountains, Shanxi Province, China

Preliminary studies on late-Holocene deforestation and modern degradation of alpine meadows in the central Wutai Shan were made during a Sino-German joint expedition in 1995. Since the 5th century, Wutai Shan has been one of the most sacred sites for Buddhist pilgrims in China. Periods of extensive deforestation and intensive land use occurred, at least during the Ming and Qing dynasties (AD 1368_1911). By the end of the 19th century Wutai Shan had become widely deforested. However, several radiocarbon dates on wood and charcoal fragments recovered from the base of the loessic sediment that rests directly on the bedrock and debris pavement in the upper meadow region above 2,400 m indicate that timberline in the summit area experienced significant lowering between 2,000 and 3,000 years ago. Due to recent grazing activities in the meadow region, grazing steps (terracettes) and various sub-types of turf-destruction features have developed, mainly along the frequently used grazing routes and in the pasture lands. Although the overall extent of turf damage by over-grazing appears to be slight at present, any further increase in grazing pressure will likely produce an acceleration in the rates of soil erosion and vegetation loss. This may cause irreversible damage to the sensitive alpine meadow lands of the Wutai Shan. The entire Wutai Shan massif occupies an area no greater than 300 km2 and the alpine meadow comprises only a small part of the total.

D. D. POUDEL, University of California, Davis; ’T. M. NISSEN, University of Georgia; D. J. MIDMORE, Central Queensland University

Sustainability of Commercial Vegetable Production under Fallow Systems in the Uplands of Mindanao, The Philippines

The quality of fallow lands in northern Mindanao, the Philippines, was assessed with a farm survey and soil sampling in order to understand land use dynamics under upland commercial vegetable production systems. Twenty-one percent of commercial vegetable growers practiced fallow systems, with an average re-cultivation period of four years. The soils of the fallow lands were highly acidic, nutrient poor, and higher in exchangeable aluminum compared to lands currently under cultivation. Land fallowing was more prominent on large farms and those with higher farm labor requirements. Two distinct groups of land fallowers were identified. The first represented fallowers with a positive net return from vegetable crops while the second, and larger, group represented land fallowers with negative net return from vegetable crops. Re-cultivation of fallow lands was more common in the second group. To rejuvenate fallow lands, timber tree planting was the most preferred option of the first group while fruit trees were preferred by the second group. In light of the apparently slow rate of soil fertility regeneration, the lack of capital among most land fallowers, and the increasing demand for arable land to raise farm income, planting of trees on cultivated lands before their being set aside as fallow for natural fertility regeneration is suggested as a potential measure to increase farm income and the sustainability of upland commercial vegetable production under fallow systems.

B. P. KALTENBORN, H. RIESE, and M. HUNDEIDE, Eastern Norway Research Institute

National Park Planning and Local Participation: Some Reflections from a Mountain Region in Southern Norway

The extent of protected areas is increasing worldwide. Traditionally, a great deal of the protected lands have been situated in ecologically and economically marginal regions, such as mountains, often on state-owned land. In recent years, however, new designations have increasingly been applied to areas with more private land, more people, greater economic activity, and thus have resulted in a higher degree of conflict. Due to several forces, public inVolvement in natural resource planning is developing rapidly. This development is largely driven by environmental management institutions as a means to improve efficiency and equity in planning processes. Although well intended, these efforts often meet with problems caused by a lack of understanding of the community perspectives on resource conflicts. In this study we discuss our experiences from following the process of expansion of a national park in southern Norway. We argue that it is essential to understand the complex relationships and meanings local people develop with their surroundings in order to facilitate negotiation over contested issues. This has important implications for the way managers apply different types of knowledge, develop strategies, and communicate with local interests.