Get to know the biggest risk factors for California landslides, and learn how California native plants can help reduce their likelihood and impacts.
Despite our consistently temperate weather for much of the year, landslides are one of the most nerve-rattling realities of living in California during the rainy season. With record rainfall happening in much of the state this week, we're taking a look at the realities of California landslides—and how native plants can help mitigate them.
Whether you're living on a hillside or just want to spread awareness, read on for our top insights for California landslide prevention using native plants.
Fact #1 - Landslides are More Common than You Expect
Landslides are usually most notable when they are especially large or affect residential areas. But, in reality, California landslides also regularly damage infrastructure for transportation, utilities, and community spaces every year.
While only a few may make headlines, in January 2023 alone, the California Geological Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey recorded 700 landslides and mudslides in California.
Fact #2 - Slope Destabilization Increases California Landslide Risks and Severity
Disturbances to the stability of a slope trigger landslides and mudslides. Heavy rains, drought, wildfires, earthquakes, and human activities can all lead to varying degrees of destabilization.
On a stable hillside, the soil is held together by a number of factors, including deep plant roots, rocks, moisture, and gravity. Here, you may see erosion and superficial mudslides during heavy rains, but during these events, thoughtfully maintained slopes rarely experience severe problems.
However, if the soil destabilizes over time because the slope is improperly maintained, it becomes less tightly held across the slope. Sections of the hill start to decouple from one another underground, which significantly increases the risk of massive landslides and mudslides, especially when major destabilizing events like rain and earthquakes come along.
Fact #3 - Extreme Weather Increases the Likelihood of California Landslide Conditions
Rainy seasons can be unpredictable in California, but as climate change continues to exacerbate extreme weather, their impacts are only going to become more challenging. Heavy rainstorms, like those experienced in winter 2023 and 2024, can quickly destabilize poorly maintained hillsides—and can lead to disastrous consequences.
"Because the soils are so saturated, supersaturated in fact—with six to 12 inches of rain across the region—it will take very little additional rain to cause landslides, mudslides, and other debris flows. Everyone needs to be at a high state of readiness.” National Weather Service Meteorologist Ariel Cohen explained to the New York Times in February 2024.
"Everyone needs to be at a high state of readiness." – Meteorologist Ariel Cohen, National Weather Service
In recent years, extreme weather events have become more and more alarming. By the end of winter 2022-2023, the state saw 150 percent of its average precipitation. Some areas even saw up to 200 percent of the precipitation that they typically experience.
Fact #4 - Droughts and Wildfires Amplify the Severity of California Landslides
Extreme droughts and wildfires are also major risk factors for landslides, especially when slopes and hillsides have not been properly maintained with stabilizing native plants.
During droughts, grasses and other shallow-rooted species make a perfect dry kindling for rapidly spreading fires. As a result, areas without plants that would otherwise keep soil intact can become especially vulnerable to landslides, which will quickly wash soil away.
Fact #5 - Native Plants Are Essential to California Landslide Mitigation
While unplanted or shallowly planted hills are at the highest risk of landslides, many California native plants have adapted over thousands of years to help stabilize slopes. Most California native plants have adapted to the variability of our climate by growing deep roots, including many that thrive on the sides of slopes and hills.
Biodiverse areas with a variety of native trees, shrubs, perennials, and other ground covers develop a strong, interlocking network of roots that penetrate the soil to various depths across a hillside. These roots can have an incredible impact on stabilizing even the most extreme slopes, reducing their vulnerability to landslides.
Start Reducing Your Risk of Landslides, Starting with Native Plants
While California landslides will always be a threat, re-introducing native plants to their natural hillside habitats is a relatively low-effort, high-impact action that can help protect our local neighborhoods and infrastructure from their most extreme impacts.
Don't wait until it's too late—schedule a consultation with Besanti Natives and start stabilizing your hillside now with California native plants.
About Us
Besanti Natives is a landscape design consulting firm in Los Angeles specializing in bespoke outdoor spaces inspired by the natural wonders of the Golden State. Our Certified California Native Plant Landscapers offer a refreshing, holistic approach to your landscape to help you cultivate more meaningful connections to nature, your loved ones, and yourself.
Our team is dedicated to preserving the unique character of each property while providing modern solutions to enhance functionality and beauty. To order any of the plants listed on this page, learn more about our services, or to schedule a consultation, visit our online booking page.
