Geomorphology

Research on geomorphology investigates the origin and evolution of topographic features created by physical, chemical or biological processes operating on the lands surface.

Within the province, research efforts are directed towards identifying areas of risk from landslides, debris flows, and instability across BC’s highly varied and complex terrain. Interaction effects between ecosystems and geomorphology are also investigated. 

Landslides in Organic Soils on Forested Slopes - EN99

The cool, wet climate of British Columbia’s Central and North Coast and northern Vancouver Island has created extensive forested landscapes with organic and organic-rich soils that have developed on moderate to steep slopes. Landslides in organic soils provide a challenge to forest operations in coastal British Columbia. Often landslides initiate at much lower slope gradients than is typical for shallow landslides; as a result, the hazards associated with organic soils are sometimes not identified. Landslides in organic soils are frequently triggered during road construction and timber harvesting activities, and therefore can pose a significant risk to worker safety.

Road and Terrain Attributes of Road Fill Landslides in the Kalum Forest District - TR24

This report presents the results of a study into road construction practices and the terrain attributes associated with road fill landslides on moderately steep to steep terrain in a portion of the Kalum Forest District, near Terrace, B.C. The influence of terrain, road construction methods, road maintenance, and drainage alteration were examined by comparing attributes at 40 road fill landslide sites to the same attributes at 89 randomly selected, non-landslide sites. The majority of the forest roads examined were constructed before implementation of the Forest Practices Code in 1995 and are about 10-40 years old. The older roads were constructed using bulldozers and more recently constructed roads used excavators. In general, roads selected for the study were not deactivated and the majority were inactive and not maintained. Most of the road fill landslides observed likely occurred because of the loss of strength in the foundation soils, rather than in the fill soils. The most probable triggers of road fill landslides are related to poor control of surface and subsurface water flows including water concentration and diversion, a reflection of inadequate drainage construction, maintenance, and deactivation. A comparison of terrain and road attributes at road fill landslides sites and null sites or sites that have not experienced landslides is provided.

Landslide Risk Case Studies in Forest Development Planning and Operations - LMH56

Landslide risk management associated with forest practices in the Province of British Columbia has progressed though a series of stages over the past 30 years. In the early 1970s, there was little understanding of landslide risks—a period of few regulatory requirements and a time of ongoing confrontation between resource agencies and forest licensees. In the mid-1970s, the first pilot terrain stability maps were introduced on the Queen Charlotte Islands. In the mid-1980s, the British Columbia Coastal Fisheries/ Forestry Guidelines were introduced to provide a basis for landslide risk management in environmentally sensitive areas. Then, in 1995, forest practices regulations were brought into force under the Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act, with protection of the environment as one of the primary objectives.

Terrain Stability and Forest Management in the Interior of British Columbia: Workshop Proceedings May 23–25, 2001 Nelson, British Columbia, Canada - TR3

The "Terrain Stability and Forest Management in the Interior of British Columbia" workshop, held in Nelson on May 23-25, 2001, was the first conference on landslides, terrain stability, and related forest management issues to be held in the British Columbia Interior. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together research scientists, engineers, and foresters who have been dealing with this subject since the introduction of the Forest Practices Code in 1995. An important objective was to present the results of several research projects on landslides and terrain stability, which were nearing completion under the 5-year period of Forest Renewal British Columbia research funding that began in 1996. The Forestry Continuing Studies Network and the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Nelson Forest Region organized the workshop. The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, Division of Engineers and Geoscientists in the Forest Sector (DEGIFS), and the Arrow Innovative Forest Practices Agreement (IFPA) sponsored the event. Twenty-three oral presentations and 14 posters were presented at the workshop, covering a range of landslide research, geotechnical engineering, and applied forestry topics.On two field trips, participants visited sites of interest in the West Kootenays. Approximately 200 people attended the workshop.

A Guide for Management of Landslide-Prone Terrain in the Pacific Northwest - LMH18

This study was undertaken as part of the Fish/Forestry Interaction Program (FFIP), a multidisciplinary research study initiated in 1981. The program was started following a series of major winter storms in 1978 that triggered landslides over much of the Queen Charlotte Islands forest land base. Originating on steep slopes. many slides deposited tonnes of debris in streams and on valley flats. The events raised private and public concerns over logging practices on the Islands and prompted the establishment of the 5-year program. Overall objectives of FFIP were:
- to study the extent and severity of mass wasting and to assess its impacts on fish habitat and forest sites.
- to investigate the feasibility of rehabilitating stream and forest sites damaged by landslides.
- to assess alternative silvicultural treatments for maintaining and improving slope stability.
- to investigate the feasibility and success of using alternative logging methods, including skylines and helicopters, and by logging planning to reduce logging-related failures.