Our research group
What are Alpine watercourses?
Alpine watercourses, torrents and mountain rivers in the Alps and Alpine foothills are permanent or temporary watercourses in which the discharge and transport processes take place in irregular bed profiles with channel-like sections and typically high bed roughness and pronounced gradients. Sudden precipitation events and rapid melting processes in the catchment area of the watercourses generally lead to short-term massive increases in discharge, as a result of which solids and bedload are mobilised, carried along in the watercourse and deposited inside or outside the watercourse bed or discharged into a receiving watercourse.
Alpine watercourses in Central Europe, such as those found in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Slovenia, are ecologically valuable landscapes that are valued for their closeness to nature. However, they are also susceptible to natural hazards such as heavy rainfall, floods, flash floods and mudflows, which have a negative impact on people and property. Dealing with these hazards has a long tradition and includes both local knowledge and structural protection measures such as dams and concrete structures. In the second half of the 20th century, preventive, non-structural and organisational measures became increasingly important as part of integrated risk management, with ecologically sustainable solutions also playing a role.
What does science contribute to this?
Science contributes to this in particular through the research and prediction of natural hazards in the Alpine region by continuously expanding our understanding of the processes. Torrent science investigates the characteristics and processes of Alpine watercourses, especially torrents and their catchment areas, as well as their effects on the downstream area. This includes hydrological, geomorphological, hydromophodynamic and ecological aspects as well as hydraulic engineering issues for protection against natural hazards and the sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems.
Topics of the research group
Under the leadership of Dr. Ivo Baselt, the research group deals with various aspects of watercourses in alpine regions and the associated natural hazards. Alpine watercourses are an important interdisciplinary field of research due to their function as a link between alpine mass movements and watercourses. The spectrum of scientific research covers the following disciplines in particular:
- Geology, geography and geophysics: geological properties in the catchment area, hydrogeological properties of the soil, topography, land use
- Hydrology in the catchment area: seasonal climate, weather and temperature events, precipitation events and runoff formation
- Hydrodynamics in the torrent channel: measuring, analysing and forecasting water volumes, flow velocities and flow depths, deriving the relevant bed shear stresses
- Flood forecasting and management: development of methods for forecasting flood events in torrents, planning of flood protection and management measures
- Geomorphology and hydromorphodynamics: morphological characteristics of torrents, shape of the river bed and banks, investigation of sediment transport processes, erosion and sedimentation
- Torrent control: investigation and design of control and protection structures to prevent or mitigate natural hazards, river bed and bank stabilisation, river regulation, combined technical-biological protection measures, nature-based solutions, instream river training
- Ecology, aquatics and biodiversity: assessment of the impact of torrents on the surrounding ecology and biodiversity, research into the adaptation of plants and animals to the specific conditions of torrents
- Climate change adaptation: analysing the effects of climate change on alpine torrent catchment areas and developing adaptation strategies
National and international networks
In order to overcome the common challenges in the Alpine region, there is a very well-functioning and diverse cross-border cooperation between experts from the field, decision-makers from the regional administrations and representatives from the scientific community. The following should be emphasised in this context
PLANALP
the Plattform for Natural Hazards of the Alpine Convention (PLANALP) as an Alpine-wide exchange of experts with the aim of reducing the risk of natural disasters, analysing the existing natural hazard and risk management mechanisms in the Alps, developing good practices, challenges and possible solutions and contributing to a better management of natural hazards and risks in the Alpine region.
EUSALP
the EU Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP), which promotes innovative measures in areas such as trade, industry, energy, infrastructure, transport and environmental and resource protection. These initiatives are implemented and strengthened through macro-regional cooperation between the Alpine countries and regions and in partnership with non-state actors.
Association of Graduate Engineers of Torrent and Avalanche Control in Austria
The Association of Graduate Engineers of Torrent and Avalanche Control in Austria as an association of academics working full-time in the field of torrent and avalanche control in Austria with the participation of corresponding experts from neighboring countries. Its objectives include the protection of the habitat, informing the public about natural hazards, promoting understanding and willingness to take necessary protective measures, promoting sustainable management of the natural environment, promoting and disseminating new and proven methods of protection against natural hazards and creating a forum for interdisciplinary professional exchange between experts, practitioners and laypersons.
DGGM
The German Society for Geomorphology (DGGM) is the forum for German geomorphologists. As a national member of the International Association of Geomorphologists, it ensures that the discipline is networked at national and international level.
INTERPRAEVENT
The INTERPRAEVENT conference is a specialist congress in the field of preventive protection against natural hazards, which combines research and practice through an interdisciplinary approach. The congress offers a platform for intensive professional discussion of the latest developments and scientific work in the field of natural hazard prevention.