DEbris flow and FLAsh flood Mitigation through landscape management within a global change scenario (DEFLAM)

DEFLAM contributes to the management of flash floods and debris flows. Main objective is to develop methodological tools, based on multi-sensor data sources and direct observations, for evaluating trends in ecosystem modifications, and produce a series of different typology of warnings, imbedded into the local system of warnings. Connectivity of sediment and runoff fluxes between hazard source area and vulnerable areas and its management are at the base of the proposal. For detecting changes of intensity of connectivity and managing them Earth Multi-scale Observation data (EO), ancillary data and in-situ data for soil properties characterization, integrated by advanced modelling techniques within an open WEB-GIS based system, will be used. A new technique for a cheap and rapid soil chemical and physical property characterization and monitoring is proposed, (MIR-DRIFT). Updated land use and flux connectivity maps and their changes will be provided by the integrated analysis of ancillary, EO data and in-situ data (i.e. Intermediate Output Information Layers of the system - IOIL) and appropriate modelling. IOIL will allow final delivery of: updated hazard maps, obtained by the identification of sources and sinks of temporary storage and of changes in land use, flux connectivity, morphology and soil characteristics; updated vulnerability maps, obtained by the identification of suburb expansion areas, infrastructures, new attraction poles; updated disaster risk map(s) for events of different magnitude by comparing vulnerability maps with the hazard maps and connectivity between vulnerable spots and hazard spots; alert maps linked to events of different magnitude, based on the level of risk of the disaster in combination with the level of consequence, and updated evaluation of alarm thresholds. The WEB-GIS based system will be designed to guarantee rapidly deployable and interoperable ICT based solutions for public warning and emergency management.