Theoretical Background - Response of Flood Events to Land Use and Climate Change - page 34

Table 2.3 (continued)

Years Changes Source

At the end of the nineteenth century,
during the twentieth century

The reach located upstream from Barcelonnette was characterized by a dynamic equilibrium
corresponding to high peak flow and abundant bed-load. This segment is typical of alpine fluvial
landscapes which registered major modifications between the late fourteenth century and the
nineteenth century, evolving toward active braiding. While for many years mountain populations
were considered to be responsible for this evolution, recent views have focused on the influence
of the little ice age climatic degradation, affecting slopes whose vegetation cover was altered by
overgrazing. This led to an intensification of flooding and to an increased bed-load supply which,
in turn, produced channel aggradations and widening. Thus, the Ubaye occupied the entire valley
flat when human society exploited slopes to the fullest, by combining dominant pastoral activities
with subsistence crops.

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