Mass Movements in Changing Mountainous Environments

The mountain systems of our planet are representing dynamic and complex environments, highly sensitive to climate variability and climate change. Mass movements have traditionally been an integrated part of the mountain risk culture, specific adaptive/coping capacities allowing the inhabitants to develop a higher resilience. Extreme events associated with climate change are enhancing the frequency and severity of mountain hazards such as mass movements (e.g., landslides, snow avalanches), affecting the ecosystems and threatening socio-economic activities. This article addresses the problem of mass movements in mountain regions from an environmental perspective. The chapter brings into discussion the effects of global change and variability on the dynamics of such processes, the societal issues associated with climate change-induced mass movements and the emerging challenges in the management of associated risks, in support of sustainable development across mountain environments.