Conference Program

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.

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