Using terrestrial LiDAR data to analyse morphodynamics on steep unvegetated slopes driven by different geomorphic processes

- We monitored three hillslopes with terrestrial laser scanning.
- We differentiated geomorphic processes.
- Season as a factor for erosion processes and the contribution to the sediment budget
- Application and improvement of a statistical model for hillslopes
- Stratified sampling as an easy tool to estimate sediment yield

Multi-temporal data collection represents a useful tool to investigate changes by geomorphological processes. Unvegetated steep slopes often show high levels of geomorphological activity, and their seasonal behaviour is challenging to understand and predict. Our work presents monitoring of steep slopes in two alpine river catchments (Arzbach Valley and Lainbach Valley, Germany) and on a Mediterranean mining waste dump (Rio Marina, Italy) using terrestrial laser scanning and a statistical modelling approach to better comprehend possible regularities in slope dynamics. Scans of all three slopes carried out repeatedly were analysed in terms of erosion and deposition rates and their distribution across the slope. The statistical model showed large differences between the three study areas, but promising agreements between modelled soil loss and measurements could be achieved within each catchment.