The Loess Plateau is one of the hot research areas for its specific geographical features. In resent years, with the establishment of national multi-scale DEMs and the perfection of DEM based digital terrain analysis ...The Loess Plateau is one of the hot research areas for its specific geographical features. In resent years, with the establishment of national multi-scale DEMs and the perfection of DEM based digital terrain analysis methods, new thoughts and methodologies have been constructed for the Loess Plateau research. This paper introduces the characteristics of DEM data, analyses the development stages of DEM applied in the Loess Plateau research, and discusses its further possible research direction. More discussions are focused on slope spectrum and its concept, as well as the significance in the Loess Plateau research.展开更多
Digital elevation model(DEM)plays a fundamental role in the study of the earth system by expressing surface configuration,understanding surface process,and revealing surface mechanism.DEM is widely used in analysis an...Digital elevation model(DEM)plays a fundamental role in the study of the earth system by expressing surface configuration,understanding surface process,and revealing surface mechanism.DEM is widely used in analysis and modeling in the field of geoscience.However,traditional DEM has the defect of single attribute,which is difficult to support the research in earth system science oriented to geoscience process and mechanism mining.Hence,realizing the value-added data model on the basis of traditional DEM is necessary to serve digital elevation modeling and terrain analysis under the background of a new geomorphology research paradigm and earth observation technology.A theoretical framework for value-added DEM that mainly includes concept,connotation,content,and categories,is constructed in this study.The relationship between different types of value-added DEMs as well as the research significance and application category of this theoretical framework are also proposed.The following are different methods of value-added DEMs:(1)value-added methods of DEM space and time dimensions that emphasize the integration of the ground and underground as well as coupling of time and space,(2)attribute-based value-added methods composed of material(including underground,surface,and ground)and morphological properties,and(3)value-added methods of features and physical elements that consider geographical objects and landform features formed by natural processes and artificial effects.The digital terrace,slope,and watershed models are used as examples to illustrate application scenarios of the three kinds of value-added methods.This study aims to improve expression methods of DEMs under the background of new surveying and mapping technologies by adding value to the DEM at three levels of dimensions,attributes,and elements as well as support knowledge-driven digital geomorphological analysis in the era of big data.展开更多
Slope spectrum has been proved to be a significant methodology in revealing geomorphological features in the study of Chinese loess terrain. The determination of critical areas in deriving slope spectra is an indispen...Slope spectrum has been proved to be a significant methodology in revealing geomorphological features in the study of Chinese loess terrain. The determination of critical areas in deriving slope spectra is an indispensable task. Along with the increase in the size of the study area, the derived spectra are becoming more and more alike, such that their dif- ferences can be ignored in favor of a standard. Subsequently, the test size is defined as the Slope Spectrum Critical Area （SSCA）. SSCA is not only the foundation of the slope spectrum calculation but also, to some extent, a reflection of geomorphological development of loess relief. High resolution DEMs are important in extracting the slope spectrum. A set of 48 DEMs with different landform areas of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi province was selected for the experiment. The spatial distribution of SSCA is investigated with a geo-statistical analysis method, resulting in values ranging from 6.18 km^2 to 35.1 km^2. Primary experimental results show that the spatial distribution of SSCA is correlated with the spatial distribution of the soil erosion intensity, to a certain extent reflecting the terrain complexity. The critical area of the slope spectrum presents a spatial variation trend of weak-strong-weak from north to south. Four terrain parameters, gully density, slope skewness, terrain driving force （Td） and slope of slope （SOS）, were chosen as indicators. There exists a good exponential function relationship between SSCA and gully density, terrain driving force （Td） and SOS and a loga- rithmic function relationship between SSCA and slope skewness. Slope skewness increases, and gully density, terrain driving force and SOS decrease with increasing SSCA. SSCA can be utilized as a discriminating factor to identify loess landforms, in that spatial distributions of SSCA and the evolution of loess landforms are correlative. Following the evolution of a loess landform from tableland to gully-hilly region, this also proves that SSCA can represent the development degree of local landforms. The critical stable regions of the Loess Plateau represent the degree of development of loess landforms. Its chief significance is that the per- ception of stable areas can be used to determine the minimal geographical unit.展开更多
The influence of pre-quaternary underlying terrain on the formation of loess landforms, i.e., the geomorphological inheritance issue, is a focus in studies of loess landforms. On the basis of multi-source information,...The influence of pre-quaternary underlying terrain on the formation of loess landforms, i.e., the geomorphological inheritance issue, is a focus in studies of loess landforms. On the basis of multi-source information, we used GIS spatial analysis methods to construct a simulated digital elevation model of a pre-quaternary paleotopographic surface in a severe soil erosion area of the Loess Plateau. To reveal the spatial relationship between underlying paleotopography and modern terrain, an XY scatter diagram, hypsometric curve, gradient and concavity of terrain profiles are used in the experiments. The experiments show that the altitude, gradient and concavity results have significant linear positive correlation between both terrains, which shows a relatively strong landform inheritance relationship, particularly in the intact and complete loess deposit areas. Despite the current surface appearing somewhat changed from the original shape of the underlying terrain under different erosion forces, we reveal that the modern terrain generally smoothes the topographic relief of underlying terrain in the loess deposition process. Our results deepen understanding of the characteristics of geomorphological inheritance in the formation and evolution of loess landforms.展开更多
Digital terrain analysis(DTA)is one of the most important contents in the research of geographical information science(GIS).However,on the basis of the digital elevation model(DEM),many problems exist in the current r...Digital terrain analysis(DTA)is one of the most important contents in the research of geographical information science(GIS).However,on the basis of the digital elevation model(DEM),many problems exist in the current research of DTA in geomorphological studies.For instance,the current DTA research appears to be focused more on morphology,phenomenon,and modern surface rather than mechanism,process,and underlying terrain.The current DTA research needs to be urgently transformed from the study of landform morphology to one focusing on landform process and mechanism.On this basis,this study summarizes the current research status of geomorphology-oriented DTA and systematically reviews and analyzes the research about the knowledge of geomorphological ontology,terrain modeling,terrain derivative calculation,and terrain analytical methods.With the help of DEM data,DTA research has the advantage of carrying out geomorphological studies from the perspective of surface morphology.However,the study of DTA has inherent defects in terms of data expression and analytic patterns.Thus,breakthroughs in basic theories and key technologies are necessary.Moreover,scholars need to realize that DTA research must be transformed from phenomenon to mechanism,from morphology to process,and from terrain to landform.At present,the research development of earth science has reached the critical stage in which the DTA research should focus more on geomorphological ontology.Consequently,this study proposes several prospects of geomorphology-oriented DTA from the aspects of value-added DEM data model,terrain derivatives and their spatial relations,and macro-terrain analysis.The study of DTA based on DEM is at a critical period along with the issue on whether the current GIS technology can truly support the development of geography.The research idea of geomorphology-oriented DTA is expected to be an important exploration and practice in the field of GIS.展开更多
文摘The Loess Plateau is one of the hot research areas for its specific geographical features. In resent years, with the establishment of national multi-scale DEMs and the perfection of DEM based digital terrain analysis methods, new thoughts and methodologies have been constructed for the Loess Plateau research. This paper introduces the characteristics of DEM data, analyses the development stages of DEM applied in the Loess Plateau research, and discusses its further possible research direction. More discussions are focused on slope spectrum and its concept, as well as the significance in the Loess Plateau research.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41930102。
文摘Digital elevation model(DEM)plays a fundamental role in the study of the earth system by expressing surface configuration,understanding surface process,and revealing surface mechanism.DEM is widely used in analysis and modeling in the field of geoscience.However,traditional DEM has the defect of single attribute,which is difficult to support the research in earth system science oriented to geoscience process and mechanism mining.Hence,realizing the value-added data model on the basis of traditional DEM is necessary to serve digital elevation modeling and terrain analysis under the background of a new geomorphology research paradigm and earth observation technology.A theoretical framework for value-added DEM that mainly includes concept,connotation,content,and categories,is constructed in this study.The relationship between different types of value-added DEMs as well as the research significance and application category of this theoretical framework are also proposed.The following are different methods of value-added DEMs:(1)value-added methods of DEM space and time dimensions that emphasize the integration of the ground and underground as well as coupling of time and space,(2)attribute-based value-added methods composed of material(including underground,surface,and ground)and morphological properties,and(3)value-added methods of features and physical elements that consider geographical objects and landform features formed by natural processes and artificial effects.The digital terrace,slope,and watershed models are used as examples to illustrate application scenarios of the three kinds of value-added methods.This study aims to improve expression methods of DEMs under the background of new surveying and mapping technologies by adding value to the DEM at three levels of dimensions,attributes,and elements as well as support knowledge-driven digital geomorphological analysis in the era of big data.
基金Foundation： National Natural Science Foundation of China, No.41171299, No.41171320, No.41401237
文摘Slope spectrum has been proved to be a significant methodology in revealing geomorphological features in the study of Chinese loess terrain. The determination of critical areas in deriving slope spectra is an indispensable task. Along with the increase in the size of the study area, the derived spectra are becoming more and more alike, such that their dif- ferences can be ignored in favor of a standard. Subsequently, the test size is defined as the Slope Spectrum Critical Area （SSCA）. SSCA is not only the foundation of the slope spectrum calculation but also, to some extent, a reflection of geomorphological development of loess relief. High resolution DEMs are important in extracting the slope spectrum. A set of 48 DEMs with different landform areas of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi province was selected for the experiment. The spatial distribution of SSCA is investigated with a geo-statistical analysis method, resulting in values ranging from 6.18 km^2 to 35.1 km^2. Primary experimental results show that the spatial distribution of SSCA is correlated with the spatial distribution of the soil erosion intensity, to a certain extent reflecting the terrain complexity. The critical area of the slope spectrum presents a spatial variation trend of weak-strong-weak from north to south. Four terrain parameters, gully density, slope skewness, terrain driving force （Td） and slope of slope （SOS）, were chosen as indicators. There exists a good exponential function relationship between SSCA and gully density, terrain driving force （Td） and SOS and a loga- rithmic function relationship between SSCA and slope skewness. Slope skewness increases, and gully density, terrain driving force and SOS decrease with increasing SSCA. SSCA can be utilized as a discriminating factor to identify loess landforms, in that spatial distributions of SSCA and the evolution of loess landforms are correlative. Following the evolution of a loess landform from tableland to gully-hilly region, this also proves that SSCA can represent the development degree of local landforms. The critical stable regions of the Loess Plateau represent the degree of development of loess landforms. Its chief significance is that the per- ception of stable areas can be used to determine the minimal geographical unit.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 40930531, 41171320)the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Grant No. 2011AA120303)Open Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System (Grant No. 2010KF0002SA)
文摘The influence of pre-quaternary underlying terrain on the formation of loess landforms, i.e., the geomorphological inheritance issue, is a focus in studies of loess landforms. On the basis of multi-source information, we used GIS spatial analysis methods to construct a simulated digital elevation model of a pre-quaternary paleotopographic surface in a severe soil erosion area of the Loess Plateau. To reveal the spatial relationship between underlying paleotopography and modern terrain, an XY scatter diagram, hypsometric curve, gradient and concavity of terrain profiles are used in the experiments. The experiments show that the altitude, gradient and concavity results have significant linear positive correlation between both terrains, which shows a relatively strong landform inheritance relationship, particularly in the intact and complete loess deposit areas. Despite the current surface appearing somewhat changed from the original shape of the underlying terrain under different erosion forces, we reveal that the modern terrain generally smoothes the topographic relief of underlying terrain in the loess deposition process. Our results deepen understanding of the characteristics of geomorphological inheritance in the formation and evolution of loess landforms.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.41930102,No.41971333,No.41771415。
文摘Digital terrain analysis(DTA)is one of the most important contents in the research of geographical information science(GIS).However,on the basis of the digital elevation model(DEM),many problems exist in the current research of DTA in geomorphological studies.For instance,the current DTA research appears to be focused more on morphology,phenomenon,and modern surface rather than mechanism,process,and underlying terrain.The current DTA research needs to be urgently transformed from the study of landform morphology to one focusing on landform process and mechanism.On this basis,this study summarizes the current research status of geomorphology-oriented DTA and systematically reviews and analyzes the research about the knowledge of geomorphological ontology,terrain modeling,terrain derivative calculation,and terrain analytical methods.With the help of DEM data,DTA research has the advantage of carrying out geomorphological studies from the perspective of surface morphology.However,the study of DTA has inherent defects in terms of data expression and analytic patterns.Thus,breakthroughs in basic theories and key technologies are necessary.Moreover,scholars need to realize that DTA research must be transformed from phenomenon to mechanism,from morphology to process,and from terrain to landform.At present,the research development of earth science has reached the critical stage in which the DTA research should focus more on geomorphological ontology.Consequently,this study proposes several prospects of geomorphology-oriented DTA from the aspects of value-added DEM data model,terrain derivatives and their spatial relations,and macro-terrain analysis.The study of DTA based on DEM is at a critical period along with the issue on whether the current GIS technology can truly support the development of geography.The research idea of geomorphology-oriented DTA is expected to be an important exploration and practice in the field of GIS.
