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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
People have inhabited mountainous regions for generations, living with the dangers posed by drought, erosion, wildfires and landslides [1]. Currently, perceptions of natural hazards have improved, but increasing numbers of people visiting, traveling or inhabiting mountainous regions have experienced higher levels of risk as well as an increase in vulnerability in these territories [1].
The understanding of hazards and consequent disasters is based on mutual knowledge of the human and biogeophysical dimensions [2], and how these impact the ecosystem. The mountainous regions are relatively active geophysically and hydrologically, structure a great landscape diversity, encompassing diverse ecosystems and many species of fauna and flora. Due to the heterogeneity of mountainous regions, there are several natural hazards, which are highlighted by the fragility of their ecosystems, the low population density, the growing abandonment of the territory, and the composition of their social systems. Added to all these characteristics, several studies have configured that climate change has interfered with the frequency and intensity of disasters [3]. In this way, managing natural risks and adapting to climate change are essential for ecosystems and the protection of populations.
In south-western Europe there are mountainous areas that encompass part of the territorial space of Portugal, Spain, Andorra and France [4]. The main mountain ranges are the Iberian, the Pyrenees, the French massifs and the Alps.
Therefore, the main objective of this report is to provide a state-of-the-art overview of natural hazards in the SUDOE mountain region and current strategies used to deal with disasters, as well as some effects of climate change. We carry out this report through two main parts: i) review of the EM-DAT database to identify the main disasters in the countries that comprise the SUDOE region; ii) analysis of projects in databases of European funding programs. In addition, we also use academic databases as support tools to search for terms and definitions directly related to our study focus.
We identified that disasters in the region have increased by approximately 26% in the last four decades, with meteorological disasters being the most representative, with 16, 33 and 87 events recorded in Portugal, Spain and France, respectively. Heatwave was the deadliest event in the period studied, being responsible for 95%, 76% and 68% of deaths in Spain, Portugal and France, respectively. However, in Andorra, snow avalanches are the hazard that has caused the most deaths in the country, with 18 deaths since 1975.
Based on these projects, we highlight that 72% of selected projects work with partner countries. In particular, wildfires receive great attention, since most of the good practices addressed this type of hazard through prescribed burning, guided herbivory and early detection of forest fires.
Description
Keywords
Mountains Natural disasters Wildfires Erosion Flooding South-western Europe Gravitational natural hazards
Citation
Fandiño, Isabella; Cipoli, Yago; Furst, Leonardo; Komac, Benjamin; Terrádez, Juan; Feliciano, Manuel (2023). Natural hazards and disaster risk management in mountainous regions of southwest Europe: MONTCLIMA Project.