CONFERENCE TOPICS
Root-soil interaction
Root anchorage, root architecture, root/soil interface, root growth, root strength, soil cohesion, root density, modelling,
Soil biodiversity and soil structure
Microbial communities and influence on soil cohesion, biocrusts, soil fauna and soil structure
Slope degradation
Debris flow, landslides, avalanches, rockfall, forest fires, pathogens, wind throw, silviculture, desertification
Soil erosion and conservation
Soil loss, run-off, sub-surface erosion, soil quality, soil sealing, desertification
Riverbank and coastline protection measures
Flow mitigation, torrent control, hydrological structures, up- and downscaling, sustainable planning, soil bio-engineering techniques
Integrated catchment management with an emphasis on eco-engineering
Slope hydrology, hydrological connectivity, advanced infiltration, flooding, sustainability of agricultural crop systems, land use change
Slope stability modelling
Mechanistic and empirical models, root reinforcement, hydrology, unsaturated strength, soil moisture relations and vegetation, post-failure, static and dynamic models.
Vegetation and ecology
High-altitude plant ecosystems, disturbance ecology, plant establishment, plant management, bio-remediation, species selection, soil ecology, influence of climate change
Nature-based solutions
Ecosystem-based adaptation, nature’s contribution to people, disaster-risk reduction, biological richness, structural diversity
Plant growth versus engineering
Temporal factors. When to choose which technique? Lifespan of systems.
Soil bio- engineering, earth stabilising and retaining techniques
New soil fixing techniques, protective techniques, cuttings and embankments, mulches, geotextiles, soil nailing, chemical stabilisers, long-term stability and performance of ground-bioengineered structures
Land restoration
Disaster management, short and long-term measures, eco-restoration, protection forests, ecosystem services
Risk management and decision support systems
GIS, modelling, databases, strategic management, choice of tools, new systems, neural networks
Benefits and liabilities in slope and erosion control
Economic factors, resource sustainability, legislation, cost analysis.
