LiDAR-Helped Recognition and Promotion of High-Alpine Geomorphosites

International audienceGeomorphosites in high alpine areas show limited development of their geoheritage because of the heavy constraints to their use. Moreover, they are extremely vulnerable to global warming: glaciers and permafrost areas are currently affected by major changes due to the increasing temperatures. Research on alpine geomorphosites needs the use of methods of high-resolution topography. Among them, the Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) and particularly the Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) plays a particular important role. Carried out on nearly 40 high altitude sites across the Alps since the beginning of the 2000s, this method is particularly interesting for the recognition and development of high-alpine geomorphosites. Indeed, it can be implemented for both identifying and characterizing the geomorphic objects (survey, monitoring, mapping), helping planning policies and protection (patterns of development/adaptation), and serving the geotouristic development