Recognizing the importance of tropical forests in limiting rainfall-induced debris flows

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 67; no. 4; pp. 1225 - 1235
• Main Authors: De Graff, Jerome V., Sidle, Roy C., Ahmad, Rafi, Scatena, Fred N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.10.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biogeosciences; Debris flow; Detritus; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Ecological effects; Environmental Science and Engineering; Forests; Geochemistry; Geology; Hydrology/Water Resources; Infrastructure; Local population; Mountain forests; Original Article; Rainfall; Rainfall measurement; Rainforests; Risk reduction; Rubber trees; Storms; Terrestrial Pollution; Tree crops; Tropical environments; Tropical forests; Vulnerability; ASW, Caribbean Sea; Thailand; Central America; Rainfall; Tropical forests; Debris flows; Thailand; Caribbean; Root strength

Worldwide concern for continuing loss of montane forest cover in the tropics usually focuses on adverse ecological consequences. Less recognized, but equally important to inhabitants of these affected regions, is an increasing susceptibility to rainfall-induced debris flows and their associated impa...