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A Heuristic Method to Evaluate the Effect of Soil Tillage on Slope Stability: A Pilot Case in Central Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Evelina Volpe

    (CNR IRPI, Via della Madonna Alta 126, 06128 Perugia, Italy)

  • Stefano Luigi Gariano

    (CNR IRPI, Via della Madonna Alta 126, 06128 Perugia, Italy)

  • Francesca Ardizzone

    (CNR IRPI, Via della Madonna Alta 126, 06128 Perugia, Italy)

  • Federica Fiorucci

    (CNR IRPI, Via della Madonna Alta 126, 06128 Perugia, Italy)

  • Diana Salciarini

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

Among the various predisposing factors of rainfall-induced shallow landslides, land use is constantly evolving, being linked to human activities. Between different land uses, improper agricultural practices can have a negative impact on slope stability. Indeed, unsustainable soil tillage can modify the mechanical properties of the soils, leading to a possible increase of the instability phenomena. However, the effects of soil tillage on slope stability are poorly investigated. To address this topic, the PG_TRIGRS model (a probabilistic, geostatistic-based extension of TRIGRS) was applied to a cultivated, landslide-prone area in central Italy, thoroughly studied and periodically monitored through systematic image analysis and field surveys. A heuristic approach was adopted to quantitatively evaluate the effect of soil tillage on the mechanical properties of the soil: after a first run of the model with unbiased parameters, the slope stability analysis was carried out assuming several percentages of reduction of the effective soil cohesion to mimic an increasing impact of soil tillage on the strength conditions. Then, a comparison between observed landslides and the spatial distribution of the probability of failure derived from the application of PG_TRIGRS was carried out. A back analysis with contingency matrix and skill scores was adopted to search for the best compromise between correct and incorrect model outcomes. The results show that soil tillage caused a 20 to 30% reduction in soil cohesion in the analyzed area.

Suggested Citation

  • Evelina Volpe & Stefano Luigi Gariano & Francesca Ardizzone & Federica Fiorucci & Diana Salciarini, 2022. "A Heuristic Method to Evaluate the Effect of Soil Tillage on Slope Stability: A Pilot Case in Central Italy," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:6:p:912-:d:839089
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raphael Knevels & Alexander Brenning & Simone Gingrich & Gerhard Heiss & Theresia Lechner & Philip Leopold & Christoph Plutzar & Herwig Proske & Helene Petschko, 2021. "Towards the Use of Land Use Legacies in Landslide Modeling: Current Challenges and Future Perspectives in an Austrian Case Study," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-29, September.
    2. Jie Liu & Zhen Wu & Huiwen Zhang, 2021. "Analysis of Changes in Landslide Susceptibility according to Land Use over 38 Years in Lixian County, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-23, September.
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