This special issue presents findings from the MABIS project (Mass movements in South, West and Central Germany), funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Running from 1995 to 2001, MABIS was the first German initiative to focus on geomorphic landslide research, comparing various landslide-prone geological formations and landform types. It provided an excellent platform for German geomorphologists to gather extensive landslide data, initiate new sampling activities, and develop innovative research methods, all crucial for assessing natural hazards. The project involved experienced geomorphologists alongside motivated master's and PhD students, resulting in numerous completed theses that highlighted the enthusiasm of young researchers. The MABIS framework was developed in collaboration with European landslide research initiatives, particularly influenced by the TESLEC project, which focused on the temporal stability and activity of landslides in relation to climate change. This collaboration significantly shaped MABIS's conceptual framework, especially in reconstructing past landslide distributions linked to changing climate parameters.
