RESEARCH INTO THE CURRENT DEVELOPMENT OF THE LANDSCAPE OF AN ALPINE CATCHMENT-AREA USING A GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION-SYSTEM - THE EXAMPLE OFTHE KESSELBACH VALLEY IN THE VORKARWENDEL, TYROL

Current geomorphic processes were monitored on small test sites on Alp ine slopes in the catchment area of the Kesselbach. The test sites wer e selected by means of a GIS in order to assure their representativene ss for the whole drainage basin. By comparing the amount of slope eros ion with the sediment yield of the catchment area of the Kesselbach ad ditional information about the sediment budget was obtained. As a prer equisite a CIS-based projection of the recorded slope erosion data for the test sites for the entire catchment area was necessary based on t he surface classification of the test sites. At present processes on t he slopes are predominantly gravitational (avalanches, debris flows). They rarely reach the valley floor. Fluvial erosion in the channels is marked. Therefore, the sediment yield exceeds the slope erosion by se veral orders of magnitude. The processes that have led to the formatio n of V-shaped valleys are still active.