Torrent control works (such as check dams) and soil conservation techniques (e.g., terracing, mulching, afforestation) have been strategically used for several decades to control catchment hydrology and morphology, regulate eater resources and develop agricultural activities. On the global scale, although research has underscored their vital role across a variety of environmental settings, several scientific aspects remain unexplored: i) suitable planning and design of restoration actions (such as check dam design); ii) prediction of degradation and functioning over time; iii) quantification of the effectiveness of actions as a function of their desired purposes; iv) assessment of their effectiveness after extreme hydrological events (e.g., water floods, debris floods and flows, deforestation). Pursuing these scientific objectives is further complicated by the scarcity of long-term monitoring studies. In this regard, Remote sensing (RS) opens new horizons to analyse past and current situations as well as makes monitoring the evolution of the regulated catchment morphology possible by multi-temporal surveys at different scales and open-source big data.
This session offers a platform for collaboration and discussion among soil scientists, hydrologists, geomorphologists, and stakeholders, facilitating a dialogue on critical issues about planning, design, and management torrent control works and soil conservation techniques at the catchment scale. Researches about the following topics are welcome: i) innovative protocols and guidelines for planning and design; ii) emerging techniques for multi-temporal or real-time monitoring of effects using RS techniques; iii) standards for comprehensive analysis of structural and functioning conditions as well as impacts on natural dynamics of torrents and their catchments; iv) identification of new challenges (i.e., soil-bioengineering techniques and integration of living vegetation in check dam systems).
Early career scientists are encouraged to contribute to the session with original and advanced studies.