GIS-based landslide susceptibility assessment on low slopes: the case study of Anenii Noi district, the Republic of Moldova

The Republic of Moldova is known for the high frequency of landslides on small slopes and within agricultural areas. As a part of the transboundary research project “The impact of European agricultural policies on land use: Romania's experience and lessons for the Republic of Moldova in a European perspective – MapLURoMd”, this study aims to evaluate the spatial distribution of landslides in Anenii Noi District, Republic of Moldova, using GIS-based analysis and field verification. The research is based on 2020 orthophotographic images, processed in ArcGIS 10.4.1 and validated by GPS-based ground surveys. Landslide occurrence was analysed in relation to three morphometric parameters: slope gradient, altitude, and slope exposure. The applied methodology enabled the identification and mapping of landslide-affected areas and the assessment of their relationship with terrain characteristics. The lithological composition, a known factor for landslide development in general, was not important in our case due to a lack of regional diversity. As a result, several thematic maps were generated, including landslide distribution, altitude, slope, and slope exposure maps. The proportion of areas affected by landslides within different morphometric classes was also quantified. The results highlight zones of increased landslide susceptibility, providing valuable support for landslide risk mitigation, territorial planning, and land management within the Republic of Moldova's agricultural development policy.