Establishing Adaptation Measures Based on Landslide Potential Impact Assessment for Scenic Sites

Background and objective: Scenic Sites, designated for their outstanding natural and cultural value, are increasingly at risk due to landslides exacerbated by climate change. However, current disaster mitigation measures in South Korea inadequately reflect the unique landscape and heritage characteristics of these areas. This study aims to evaluate the potential impact of landslides on Scenic Sites and propose customized adaptation strategies that balance disaster risk reduction with the preservation of scenic value. The Gayasan Haeinsa Scenic Site was selected as the study area.Methods: Potential impact was defined as the sum of sensitivity and exposure, following the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) framework. Sensitivity was assessed using the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model, which predicted landslide susceptibility based on climatic, geological, topographic, and vegetation variables. Exposure was quantified through cultural heritage density mapping and visibility analysis from key viewpoints. A composite Potential Impact Index was created to identify high-risk areas and key landscape resources. Field surveys supported the selection of site-specific adaptation measures.Results: Geumseonam and Section 3 of the Hongryudong Valley were found to have the highest potential impact scores due to the convergence of high visibility and cultural asset density. The MaxEnt model demonstrated satisfactory predictive performance (Area Under the Curve = 0.765), with precipitation and elevation being major contributing factors.Conclusion: The study presents an integrative and replicable method for evaluating climate-induced landslide risks in heritage landscapes. Proposed adaptation strategies include vegetated soil bag stabilization, eco-friendly check dams, and early warning systems. These approaches are intended to maintain both the physical stability and the scenic integrity of vulnerable Scenic Sites.