Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India

This study leverages two cutting-edge automated landform classification approaches—Topographic Position Index (LCTPI) and Geomorphon (LCGm)—to map and categorize landforms in Uttarakhand, a strategically vital region in the Himalayas frequently impacted by natural hazards. Situated at the subduction...

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Main Authors: Vipin Chauhan, Laxmi Gupta, Jagabandhu Dixit
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Environmental Challenges
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010024002130
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author Vipin Chauhan
Laxmi Gupta
Jagabandhu Dixit
author_facet Vipin Chauhan
Laxmi Gupta
Jagabandhu Dixit
author_sort Vipin Chauhan
collection DOAJ
description This study leverages two cutting-edge automated landform classification approaches—Topographic Position Index (LCTPI) and Geomorphon (LCGm)—to map and categorize landforms in Uttarakhand, a strategically vital region in the Himalayas frequently impacted by natural hazards. Situated at the subduction boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Uttarakhand's complex landscape demands innovative approaches for sustainable land use planning. Our analysis links classified landforms to critical factors such as slope, geology, soil types, land use land cover (LULC) patterns, fault density, and regional seismicity. Results reveal that high ridges, deep valleys (LCTPI), and slopes (LCGm), predominantly covered by trees and rangelands, are associated with lithosols and dystric cambisols soil types from the Precambrian period. In contrast, flat areas, shoulders, footslopes, U-shaped valleys, open slopes, and mild slope ridges, mainly used for agriculture and urban development, exhibit lower seismic activity. Notably, shallow earthquakes are more frequent in deep valleys and high ridges, which have low to moderate fault density and are majorly occupied by trees and rangelands. This research offers a robust framework for geomorphic characterization that can be adapted to other regions, despite the inherent limitations of automated studies, such as DEM resolution and neighbourhood cell size. Our approach supports sustainable land use planning, biodiversity preservation, natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction, ultimately fostering resilient futures in the built environment. This study emphasizes the necessity of integrating geomorphic insights into the planning process to mitigate natural hazards and enhance environmental sustainability in the Himalayan region by providing actionable insights for land use planners and policymakers.
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spelling doaj-art-5346d8a6ca4d419f991f138f41642f112024-12-17T05:01:35ZengElsevierEnvironmental Challenges2667-01002024-12-0117101047Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, IndiaVipin Chauhan0Laxmi Gupta1Jagabandhu Dixit2Disaster Management Laboratory, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, IndiaDisaster Management Laboratory, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, IndiaCorresponding author.; Disaster Management Laboratory, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi NCR, Greater Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh 201314, IndiaThis study leverages two cutting-edge automated landform classification approaches—Topographic Position Index (LCTPI) and Geomorphon (LCGm)—to map and categorize landforms in Uttarakhand, a strategically vital region in the Himalayas frequently impacted by natural hazards. Situated at the subduction boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, Uttarakhand's complex landscape demands innovative approaches for sustainable land use planning. Our analysis links classified landforms to critical factors such as slope, geology, soil types, land use land cover (LULC) patterns, fault density, and regional seismicity. Results reveal that high ridges, deep valleys (LCTPI), and slopes (LCGm), predominantly covered by trees and rangelands, are associated with lithosols and dystric cambisols soil types from the Precambrian period. In contrast, flat areas, shoulders, footslopes, U-shaped valleys, open slopes, and mild slope ridges, mainly used for agriculture and urban development, exhibit lower seismic activity. Notably, shallow earthquakes are more frequent in deep valleys and high ridges, which have low to moderate fault density and are majorly occupied by trees and rangelands. This research offers a robust framework for geomorphic characterization that can be adapted to other regions, despite the inherent limitations of automated studies, such as DEM resolution and neighbourhood cell size. Our approach supports sustainable land use planning, biodiversity preservation, natural resource management, and disaster risk reduction, ultimately fostering resilient futures in the built environment. This study emphasizes the necessity of integrating geomorphic insights into the planning process to mitigate natural hazards and enhance environmental sustainability in the Himalayan region by providing actionable insights for land use planners and policymakers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010024002130Landform classificationSeismicityFault densityGeomorphonsTopographic position indexHimalayas
spellingShingle Vipin Chauhan
Laxmi Gupta
Jagabandhu Dixit
Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India
Environmental Challenges
Landform classification
Seismicity
Fault density
Geomorphons
Topographic position index
Himalayas
title Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India
title_full Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India
title_fullStr Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India
title_full_unstemmed Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India
title_short Geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake-prone Himalayan region of Uttarakhand, India
title_sort geomorphic characterization by integrating automated approaches for sustainable land use planning in the earthquake prone himalayan region of uttarakhand india
topic Landform classification
Seismicity
Fault density
Geomorphons
Topographic position index
Himalayas
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2667010024002130
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