Effect of Forest Presence on Rockfall Trajectory. An Example from Greece

The impact of falling rocks on human activities can be hindered using protection measures such as rockfall barriers, embankments and other passive structures but also through the presence of forests. In order to study the effect of a forest on rockfall trajectory, a site neighboring a village in Central Greece was selected which has a well-recorded rockfall history in the last 50 years. The village is limited by a relatively dense forest, which lies on a limestone scree slope. An assessment of the role played by the forest stands on the site was done using the Energy Line Angle concept and conclusions on the residual rockfall risk on houses are drawn.