Identifying landslide activity as a function of economic development: a case study of increased landslide frequency surrounding Dominical, Costa Rica

Despite legislation and voluntary initiatives aimed at protecting the environment, previously undeveloped areas of Costa Rica are subject to new development opportunities. This growth has been largely unchecked, and has led to enormous amounts of foreign direct investment. This unchecked investment has led to destabilization of the natural environment, and, in the case of the Dominical?CUvita corridor on the Pacific Coast, has led to an observed increase in landsliding activity. Data collection for a landslide inventory of the study area was created via direct inspection and remote sensing techniques in December 2007 and November 2008. Evaluation of data was based on the slide location, surrounding land cover/land use, and evidence of reactivation. Data were subjected to a ??² 2 × 3 contingency table and the Freeman?CHalton extension of the Fisher exact probability test to gauge the level of impact from human-induced land-use change on the rate of landslide events. The results suggest more attention needed to monitor the impacts of human agency in the region lest landslide susceptibility become greater.