Hazard assessment of vegetated slopes

The hazard assessment of vegetated slopes are reviewed and discussed in terms of the stability of the slope both with and without vegetation, soil erosion and the stability of the vegetated slope from windthrow and snow loading. Slope stability can be determined by using either limit equilibrium or finite element stability analysis methods. The limit equilibrium methods are extended to incorporate the vegetation parameters that are important for the stability of a vegetated slope. The factors that contribute to soil erosion are reviewed and the techniques for assessing and measuring the rate of soil erosion are presented. The assessment of windthrow hazards are comprehensively discussed and a mechanistic model called ForestGALES is introduced which has flexibility for testing many different forest management scenarios. The hazards presented by snow loading on forested slopes are briefly reviewed.