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Geomorphometry Introduction

The document provides an introduction to geomorphometry, focusing on the quantitative analysis of land surfaces using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). It discusses the extraction of land-surface parameters and objects, and highlights the importance of software tools like R and SAGA GIS for terrain analysis. Additionally, it emphasizes the dynamic nature of land surfaces and the significance of understanding DEMs' limitations and data sources.

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5 views43 pages

Geomorphometry Introduction

The document provides an introduction to geomorphometry, focusing on the quantitative analysis of land surfaces using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). It discusses the extraction of land-surface parameters and objects, and highlights the importance of software tools like R and SAGA GIS for terrain analysis. Additionally, it emphasizes the dynamic nature of land surfaces and the significance of understanding DEMs' limitations and data sources.

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csa2008
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Geomorphometry

an introduction (with examples in R + SAGA GIS + GE)

T. (Tom) Hengl <[email protected]>


Content

● The science of Geomorphometry: basic definitions


and main applications
● Demo:
○ Error propagation (stream modelling)
○ Supervised and unsupervised landform
classification
http://geomorphometry.org/book
Geomorphometry

● Geomorphometry: the science of quantitative


land-surface analysis - 'approach to representing
bare-earth topography (or any topography) by the
computer manipulation of terrain height'
● also known as the 'DEM science' ('geomorphometry is
everything you do with DEMs')
Geomorphometry and its relation to source and end-user disciplines. Modified after
Pike (1995).
The operational focus of geomorphometry is extraction of land-surface parameters
and objects from DEMs.
Land surface (parameter / object)

A land surface parameter is a descriptive measure of surface form


(e.g. slope, aspect, wetness index); it is arrayed in a continuous field
of values, usually as a raster image or map.
A land-surface object is a discrete spatial feature (e.g. watershed line,
cirque, alluvial fan, drainage network), best represented on a vector
map consisting of points, lines, and/or polygons.
A landform element is a division of the land surface, at a given scale
or spatial resolution, bounded by topographic discontinuities and
having (relatively) uniform morphometry.
A Digital (surface) Elevation Model

● A Digital Elevation Model (DEM): a rectangular array


of surface heights
● First publicly described in 1958 by American
photogrammetrists at MIT; its development has
paralleled that of the electronic computer.
DSM vs DTM

Source: http://www.charim.net/general/about
DSM vs DTM

Source: http://aerometrex.com.au/
An orthogonal raster map can be defined by just five parameters: (a & b) number of
rows and columns; (c & d) coordinates of the lower left corner and (e) cell size.
Numerical example showing slope tangent (in %) extracted from a DEM using a 3×3
window.
The complete formula...
...to derive slope
but how do you derive slope in LatLon?
Hexbin grid
DEM data sources

Sources of elevation/topographic data:

● http://srtm.csi.cgiar.org --- SRTM DEM tiles (near to global; 90 m)


● http://www.viewfinderpanoramas.org --- SRTM DEM (cleaned up)
● http://www.gdem.aster.ersdac.or.jp --- GDEM tiles (global; ca 30-60
m)
● http://www.astrium-geo.com/worlddem/ --- WorldDEM global at 12
m resolution and high vertical accuracy (+/-2-5 m)
● http://opentopography.org --- High resolution topographic (LiDAR)
data
● http://seamless.usgs.gov/website/seamless/viewer.htm -
Seamless Data Warehouse (USGS)
90m DEM (Robinson et al. 2014)
WorldDEM

For over a decade, SRTM DEM has been the main source of DEM data with global coverage. Since 2014, WorldDEM
(commercial) is available for purchase / order from Airbus Defence and Space.
WorldDEM (TanDEM-X)
WorldDEM products
ALOS
LiDAR data
Public access AHN data
Sometimes it can be even more cost-effective to collect the new topographic data using e.g. Fixed-Wing UAV-based
Photogrammetry. Source: http://geomorphometry.org/Anders2013
Land surface parameters

● Basic morphometric parameters and objects;


● Parameters and objects specific to hydrology;
● Parameters and objects specific to climate and
meteorology;
Basic (morphometric) parameters
The software triangle
R is a good time/effort investment?

The Popularity of Data Analysis Software


by Robert A. Muenchen
>4000 packages in 2014
R in the news
Some useful references:

● Brenning, A., 2008. Statistical geocomputing combining R and SAGA: The example of
landslide susceptibility analysis with generalized additive models. In: J. Boehner, T.
Blaschke & L. Montanarella (eds.), SAGA - Seconds Out (= Hamburger Beitraege zur
Physischen Geographie und Landschaftsoekologie (19), 23-32.
● Brenning, A. 2014. RSAGA: SAGA Geoprocessing and Terrain Analysis in R. CRAN
package.
● Conrad, O. 2007. SAGA - Entwurf, Funktionsumfang und Anwendung eines Systems für
Automatisierte Geowissenschaftliche Analysen. electronic doctoral dissertation,
University of Göttingen.
● Hengl, T., Heuvelink, G. B. M., van Loon, E. E., 2010. On the uncertainty of stream networks
derived from elevation data: the error propagation approach. Hydrology and Earth System
Sciences, 14:1153-1165.
I admit: I'm a FOSS enthusiast
See also V. Wichmann's tutorial
SAGA GIS 2.1.4
List of modules

Grids Sum
_____________________________________________
library path: C:\saga_vc\modules\grid_calculus.dll
library name: Grid - Calculus
tool name : Grids Sum
_____________________________________________

Usage: saga_cmd grid_calculus 8 -GRIDS <str> [-RESULT <str>]


-GRIDS:<str> Grids
Grid list (input)
-RESULT:<str> Sum
Grid (output)
Demo #1: Error propagation
Baranja hill data set

● See "RasterBrickSimulations" example in the plotKML function;


● The Baranja hill data set is also available via:

> library(plotKML)
> data(barxyz)
> ?barxyz
Demo #2: Soil class mapping
Summary points

● DEMs carry more information than you would expect!


● The keys to success in geomorphometry (in my
experience) is to understand that (A) everything you
do with DEMs is related to 'how close you look' (i.e.
the pixel size), and (B) DEMs are never perfect, and (C)
land surface is dynamic, so time is an issue too.
For more info see:
http://geomorphometry.org/content/data-sets
http://www.worldgrids.org
ISRIC ━ World Soil Information

● ISRIC is the ICSU World Data Centre for Soils


(WDC-Soils) since 1989
● It has a mandate to serve the international
community with information about the world’s soil
resources to help addressing major global issues.
● Since 2010 ISRIC has been developing Global Soil
Information Facilities (GSIF)
Global Soil Information Facilities

● Software tools and data portals for global soil


mapping.
● Developed at ISRIC, jointly with an international
network of contributors.
● Implemented mainly using the Open Source software.

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