scholarly journals EFFECT OF DIGITAL ELEVATION MODEL MESH SIZE ON GEOMORPHIC INDICES: A CASE STUDY OF THE IVAÍ RIVER WATERSHED - STATE OF PARANÁ, BRAZIL

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 684-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa Cristina Dos Santos ◽  
Mhamad El Hage ◽  
Laurent Polidori ◽  
José Cândido Stevaux

Abstract: Geomorphometry is the science of quantitative description of land surface morphology by the mean of geomorphic indices extracted from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). The analysis of these indices is the first and most common procedure performed in several geoscience-related subjects. This study aims to assess the impact of mesh size degradation on different local and regional geomorphic indices extracted for GDEM and TOPODATA DEMs. Thus, these DEMs, having a mesh size of 30 m, were subsampled to 60, 120 and 240 m and then geomorphic indices were calculated using the full resolution DEM and the subsampled ones. Depending on their behavior, these indices are then classified into stable and unstable. The results show that the most affected indices are slope and hydrographic indices such as Strahler order, stream sinuosity and fractal dimension and watershed perimeter, whereas elevation remains stable. It also shows that the effect depends on the presence of the canopy and geological structures in the studied area.

2016 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 285
Author(s):  
E. Kokinou ◽  
H. D. Skilodimou ◽  
G. D. Bathrellos

In the present study, geomorphological, geological data and morphotectonic analysis were combined in order to investigate the relation between the tectonic activity and the geomorphology in the Heraklion basin (Crete). GIS techniques were used for mapping the various topographic, geological and tectonic features of the study area. The digital elevation model (DEΜ) of the study area was created. The slope angle and aspect maps were derived from DEM and combined with fault system orientation. The influence of tectonism on the development of drainage system was examined by the comparison of fault and stream directions. Moreover, geomorphic indices are useful tools in evaluating tectonic activity, relating the sensitivity to rock resistance, climatic change and tectonic processes with the production of a certain landscape. The applied geomorphic indices, in the present study, are the mountain front sinuosity index (Smf) and the valley floor width to valley height ratio (Vf). The fault zones of the study area are generally oriented N-S, NE-SW, NW-SE and E-W. According to the morphological analysis, steep slopes and sudden changes corresponding to the azimuth of the slope direction, are mainly related to N-S, NNE-SSW and NNW-SSE oriented faulting. The main channel directions of the drainage system are mainly controlled by faults striking N-S. The E-W, NE-SW and NW-SE general trending fault systems affect the low order streams. The Smf and Vf values are low, implying that the tectonic activity influences the morphology of the study area. The above methodology was proved successful to examine the impact of the tectonic activity in the study area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha. Z. Leidman ◽  
Åsa K. Rennermalm ◽  
Richard G. Lathrop ◽  
Matthew. G. Cooper

The presence of shadows in remotely sensed images can reduce the accuracy of land surface classifications. Commonly used methods for removing shadows often use multi-spectral image analysis techniques that perform poorly for dark objects, complex geometric models, or shaded relief methods that do not account for shadows cast on adjacent terrain. Here we present a new method of removing topographic shadows using readily available GIS software. The method corrects for cast shadows, reduces the amount of over-correction, and can be performed on imagery of any spectral resolution. We demonstrate this method using imagery collected with an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) over a supraglacial stream catchment in southwest Greenland. The structure-from-motion digital elevation model showed highly variable topography resulting in substantial shadowing and variable reflectance values for similar surface types. The distribution of bare ice, sediment, and water within the catchment was determined using a supervised classification scheme applied to the corrected and original UAV images. The correction resulted in an insignificant change in overall classification accuracy, however, visual inspection showed that the corrected classification more closely followed the expected distribution of classes indicating that shadow correction can aid in identification of glaciological features hidden within shadowed regions. Shadow correction also caused a substantial decrease in the areal coverage of dark sediment. Sediment cover was highly dependent on the degree of shadow correction (k coefficient), yet, for a correction coefficient optimized to maximize shadow brightness without over-exposing illuminated surfaces, terrain correction resulted in a 49% decrease in the area covered by sediment and a 29% increase in the area covered by water. Shadow correction therefore reduces the overestimation of the dark surface coverage due to shadowing and is a useful tool for investigating supraglacial processes and land cover change over a wide variety of complex terrain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zhu ◽  
Xuejun Liu ◽  
Jing Zhao ◽  
Jianjun Cao ◽  
Xiaolei Wang ◽  
...  

Topographic factors such as slope and aspect are essential parameters in depicting the structure and morphology of a terrain surface. We study the effect of the number of points in the neighbourhood of a digital elevation model (DEM) interpolation method on mean slope, mean aspect, and RMSEs of slope and aspect from the interpolated DEM. As the moving least squares (MLS) method can maintain the inherent properties and other characteristics of a surface, this method is chosen for DEM interpolation. Three areas containing different types of topographic features are selected for study. Simulated data from a Gauss surface is also used for comparison. First, the impact of the number of points on the DEM root mean square error (RMSE) is analysed. The DEM RMSE in the three study areas decreases gradually with the number of points in the neighbourhood. In addition, the effect of the number of points in the neighbourhood on mean slope and mean aspect was studied across varying topographies through regression analysis. The two variables respond differently to changes in terrain. However, the RMSEs of the slope and aspect in all study areas are logarithmically related to the number of points in the neighbourhood and the values decrease uniformly as the number of points in the neighbourhood increases. With more points in the neighbourhood, the RMSEs of the slope and aspect are not sensitive to topography differences and the same trends are observed for the three studied quantities. Results for the Gauss surface are similar. Finally, this study analyses the spatial distribution of slope and aspect errors. The slope error is concentrated in ridges, valleys, steep-slope areas, and ditch edges while the aspect error is concentrated in ridges, valleys, and flat regions. With more points in the neighbourhood, the number of grid cells in which the slope error is greater than 15° is gradually reduced. With similar terrain types and data sources, if the calculation efficiency is not a concern, sufficient points in the spatial autocorrelation range should be analysed in the neighbourhood to maximize the accuracy of the slope and aspect. However, selecting between 10 and 12 points in the neighbourhood is economical.


Geosciences ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sansar Raj ◽  
Thimmaiah

Landslides are one of the most damaging geological hazards in mountainous regions such as the Himalayas. The Himalayan region is, tectonically, the most active region in the world that is highly vulnerable to landslides and associated hazards. Landslide susceptibility mapping (LSM) is a useful tool for understanding the probability of the spatial distribution of future landslide regions. In this research, the landslide inventory datasets were collected during the field study of the Kullu valley in July 2018, and 149 landslide locations were collected as global positioning system (GPS) points. The present study evaluates the LSM using three different spatial resolution of the digital elevation model (DEM) derived from three different sources. The data-driven traditional frequency ratio (FR) model was used for this study. The FR model was used for this research to assess the impact of the different spatial resolution of DEMs on the LSM. DEM data was derived from Advanced Land Observing Satellite-1 (ALOS) Phased Array type L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) ALOS-PALSAR for 12.5 m, the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) Global for 30 m, and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) for 90 m. As an input, we used eight landslide conditioning factors based on the study area and topographic features of the Kullu valley in the Himalayas. The ASTER-Global 30m DEM showed higher accuracy of 0.910 compared to 0.839 for 12.5 m and 0.824 for 90 m DEM resolution. This study shows that that 30 m resolution is better suited for LSM for the Kullu valley region in the Himalayas. The LSM can be used for mitigation and future planning for spatial planners and developmental authorities in the region.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 1191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Mustafizur Rahman ◽  
Ram Avtar ◽  
Ali P. Yunus ◽  
Jie Dou ◽  
Prakhar Misra ◽  
...  

Spatial urban growth and its impact on land surface temperature (LST) is a high priority environmental issue for urban policy. Although the impact of horizontal spatial growth of cities on LST is well studied, the impact of the vertical spatial distribution of buildings on LST is under-investigated. This is particularly true for cities in sub-tropical developing countries. In this study, TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement (TanDEM-XDEM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER)-Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM), and ALOS World 3D-30m (AW3D30) based Digital Surface Model (DSM) data were used to investigate the vertical growth of the Dhaka Metropolitan Area (DMA) in Bangladesh. Thermal Infrared (TIR) data (10.6-11.2µm) of Landsat-8 were used to investigate the seasonal variations in LST. Thereafter, the impact of horizontal and vertical spatial growth on LST was studied. The result showed that: (a) TanDEM-X DSM derived building height had a higher accuracy as compared to other existing DSM that reveals mean building height of the Dhaka city is approximately 10 m, (b) built-up areas were estimated to cover approximately 94%, 88%, and 44% in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), and Fringe areas, respectively, of DMA using a Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification method, (c) the built-up showed a strong relationship with LST (Kendall tau coefficient of 0.625 in summer and 0.483 in winter) in comparison to vertical growth (Kendall tau coefficient of 0.156 in the summer and 0.059 in the winter), and (d) the ‘low height-high density’ areas showed high LST in both seasons. This study suggests that vertical development is better than horizontal development for providing enough open spaces, green spaces, and preserving natural features. This study provides city planners with a better understating of sustainable urban planning and can promote the formulation of action plans for appropriate urban development policies.


Land ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 430
Author(s):  
Michał Sobala ◽  
Urszula Myga-Piątek ◽  
Bartłomiej Szypuła

A viewshed analysis is of great importance in mountainous areas characterized by high landscape values. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of reforestation occurring on former pasturelands on changes in the viewshed, and to quantify changes in the surface of glades. We combine a horizontal and a vertical approach to landscape analysis. The changes in non-forest areas and the viewshed from viewpoints located in glades were calculated using historical cartographic materials and a more recent Digital Elevation Model and Digital Surface Model. An analysis was conducted using a Visibility tool in ArcGIS. The non-forest areas decreased in the period 1848–2015. The viewshed in the majority of viewpoints also decreased in the period 1848–2015. In the majority of cases, the maximal viewsheds were calculated in 1879/1885 and 1933 (43.8% of the analyzed cases), whereas the minimal ones were calculated in 2015 (almost 57.5% of analyzed cases). Changes in the viewshed range from 0.2 to 23.5 km2 with half the cases analyzed being no more than 1.4 km2. The results indicate that forest succession on abandoned glades does not always cause a decline in the viewshed. Deforestation in neighboring areas may be another factor that has an influence on the decline.


2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Nazari-Sharabian ◽  
Masoud Taheriyoun ◽  
Moses Karakouzian

Abstract This study investigates the impact of different digital elevation model (DEM) resolutions on the topological attributes and simulated runoff, as well as the sensitivity of runoff parameters in the Mahabad Dam watershed in Iran. The watershed and streamlines were delineated in ArcGIS, and the hydrologic analyses were performed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The sensitivity analysis on runoff parameters was performed, using the Sequential Uncertainties FItting Ver. 2 algorithm, in the SWAT Calibration and Uncertainty Procedures (SWAT-CUP) program. The results indicated that the sensitivity of runoff parameters, watershed surface area, and elevations changed under different DEM resolutions. As the distribution of slopes changed using different DEMs, surface parameters were most affected. Furthermore, higher amounts of runoff were generated when DEMs with finer resolutions were implemented. In comparison with the observed value of 8 m3/s at the watershed outlet, the 12.5 m DEM showed more realistic results (6.77 m3/s). Comparatively, the 12.5 m DEM generated 0.74% and 2.73% more runoff compared with the 30 and 90 m DEMs, respectively. The findings of this study indicate that in order to reduce computation time, researchers may use DEMs with coarser resolutions at the expense of minor decreases in accuracy.


2009 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1367-1377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus Lindstrot ◽  
Rene Preusker ◽  
Jürgen Fischer

Abstract Measurements of the Medium-Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) on the Environmental Satellite (Envisat) are used for the retrieval of surface pressure above land and ice surfaces. The algorithm is based on the exploitation of gaseous absorption in the oxygen A band at 762 nm. The strength of absorption is directly related to the average photon pathlength, which in clear-sky cases above bright surfaces is mainly determined by the surface pressure, with minor influences from scattering at aerosols. Sensitivity studies regarding the influences of aerosol optical thickness and scale height and the temperature profile on the measured radiances are presented. Additionally, the sensitivity of the retrieval to the accuracy of the spectral characterization of MERIS is quantified. The algorithm for the retrieval of surface pressure (SPFUB) is presented and validated against surface pressure maps constructed from ECMWF sea level pressure forecasts in combination with digital elevation model data. The accuracy of SPFUB was found to be within 10 hPa above ice surfaces at Greenland and 15 hPa above desert and mountain scenes in northern Africa and southwest Asia. In a case study above Greenland the accuracy of SPFUB could be enhanced to be better than 3 hPa by spatial averaging over areas of 40 km × 40 km.


2014 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 89
Author(s):  
Tim L. Webster ◽  
John C. Gosse ◽  
Ian Spooner ◽  
J. Brendan Murphy

A 4–m lidar digital elevation model (DEM) provides sufficient resolution to examine the impact of variable till cover on the incision history of multiple small (5 km2) catchments in eastern Canada.  The study site was selected because it has homogeneous bedrock geology that dips parallel to the land surface, is tectonically stable, has undergone common base level changes, and has a common ice history, with variable overburden thickness, from thin cover in the west to thick cover in the east. Basin morphometrics were compared for similar-size basins that have variable till cover thicknesses. Basins with thicker till cover are wider and show differences in hypsometries compared to those where till cover is thin. Two basins representing end members of till thickness were measured for stream discharge and water chemistry. Thick till  (> 1 m) on the eastern half of North Mountain retards infiltration sufficiently to promote overland flow and accelerate incision relative to areas with thinner till.  Till thickness and continuity therefore are expected to impede the achievement of steadiness and may also delay stream power law relationships in larger catchments until till cover has been effectively eroded.SOMMAIREUn modèle altimétrique numérique (MAN) par lidar 4 m offre une résolution suffisante pour étudier l'impact des divers dépôts de till sur l'histoire de l'érosion linéaire de multiples petits (5 km2) bassins versants dans l'Est du Canada.  Le site d'étude a été choisi parce que sa géologie est homogène et que son pendage est parallèle à la surface du sol, qu’il est tectoniquement stable, qu’il a subi des changements similaires du niveau de base d’érosion, de même qu’ une histoire glaciaire similaire, avec une épaisseur de mort-terrain variable, d’une couverture mince à l'ouest jusqu'à une couverture épaisse à l'est. La morphométrie du bassin a été comparée à celle de bassins de taille semblable aux épaisseurs de till variables.  Les bassins aux couvertures de till plus épaisses sont plus larges et montrent des différences hypsométriques comparé  à ceux aux couvertures minces.  Deux bassins représentant les termes extrêmes de l'épaisseur du till ont été mesurées quant au débit du courant et à la chimie de l'eau.  Les till épais (>1 m) sur la moitié est du mont Nord retardent l'infiltration, ce qui favorise l'écoulement en surface et accélèrent l’érosion linéaire par rapport aux zones couvertes de couches de till plus minces.  On s’attend donc à ce que l'épaisseur de la couche de till et sa continuité agissent comme une entrave à la stabilité et puissent aussi retarder les effets de la loi de puissance de l’écoulement dans les grands bassins récepteurs jusqu'à ce que la couverture de till a été effectivement érodée.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pawan Thapa ◽  
Narayan Thapa

Abstract Background: The impact of flooding rises due to unplanned settlements, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries. This study tries to address these issues by mapping flood risk places and assessing their impact on population and household.Methods: This study used the dataset available in Google Earth Engine (GEE), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Central Bureau Statistics (CBS), Earth Data for preparing slope, drainage density, digital elevation model, rainfall, land use map, and soil map. These maps create using GEE and QGIS through overlay analysis that has two factors. The one is influence and other slopes, and it has provided high and low value according to its role on flooding.Results: The risk assessment shows around twenty-four percent population is at higher risk, whereas more than three thousand settlements are prone to flooding. It depicts a significant increasing trend of floods in the Morang district.Conclusion: This settlement risk map can help determine the flood safe and very high-risk areas in the Morang district. It will support residential places' planning by the local government, urban planners, and community people to reduce flooding risk.


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