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Analysis of factors contributing to the stability of steep hillslopes in the tropical rainforest of Temburong, Brunei Darussalam

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Tropical Rainforest Research — Current Issues

Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 74))

Abstract

Tectonic uplift and associated channel incision in southern Temburong District, Brunei Darussalam, and adjacent parts of Sarawak, have given rise to a deeply dissected topography which is characterised by steep slopes and sharp ridges. These steep hillslopes are prone to both shallow and deep-seated failure although all recent examples (not yet revegetated) fall into the former category. The Infinite Slope Model for shallow planar failures is used to examine the stability of characteristic slopes for the range of hydrological conditions observed in the field. Matric suction in unsaturated soil significantly enhances the ability of these slopes to resist failure, but typical wet-season rain events can cause failures due to positive pore water pressures beneath perched water tables in the soil. Seasonality of the climate is shown to be an important factor in the stability regime of the hillslopes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, King’s College, London, UK

    A. P. Dykes

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  1. A. P. Dykes
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Brunei Darussalam, Brunei

    D. S. Edwards , W. E. Booth  & S. C. Choy ,  & 

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© 1996 Kluwer Academic Publishers

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Dykes, A.P. (1996). Analysis of factors contributing to the stability of steep hillslopes in the tropical rainforest of Temburong, Brunei Darussalam. In: Edwards, D.S., Booth, W.E., Choy, S.C. (eds) Tropical Rainforest Research — Current Issues. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 74. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1685-2_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1685-2_39

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7255-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-1685-2

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