Modified method for extraction of watershed boundary with digital elevation modeling

Boundary extraction of watershed is an important step in forest landscape research. The boundary of the upriver wa-tershed of the Hunhe River in the sub-alpine Qingyuan County of eastern Liaoning Province, China was extracted by digital elevation modeling (DEM) data in ArcInfo8.1. Remote sensing image of the corresponding region was applied to help modify its copy according to Enhanced Thematic Mapper (ETM) image抯 profuse geomorphological structure information. Both the DEM-dependent boundary and modified copy were overlapped with county map and drainage network map to visually check the effects of result. Overlap of county map suggested a nice extraction of the boundary line since the two layers matched precisely, which indicated the DEM-dependent boundary by program was effective and precise. Further upload of drainage network showed discrepancies between the boundary and the drainage network. Altogether, there were three sections of the extraction result that needed to correct. Compared with this extraction boundary, the modified boundary had a better match to the drainage network as well as to the county map. Comprehensive analysis demonstrated that the program extraction has generally fine precision in position and excels the digitized result by hand. The errors of the DEM-dependant extraction are due to the fact that it is difficult for program to recognize sections of complex landform especially altered by human activities, but these errors are discernable and adjustable because the spatial resolution of ETM image is less than that of DEM. This study result proved that application of remote sensing information could help obtain better result when DEM method is used in extraction of watershed boundary.

Determining topographic shielding from digital elevation models for cosmogenic nuclide analysis: a GIS model for discrete sample sites

Topographic shielding(TS) is an important factor in cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating. The development of geographic information systems(GIS) and the availability of digital elevation models(DEMs) make it possible to derive this factor directly from a DEM. Most available GIS models derive the TS factors for an area(all cells in a DEM) without the consideration of surface conditions of individual sites, such as the strike, dip,and height above ground, into the calculation. This paper presents a new GIS model to derive the TS factors for discrete sample sites. This model uses the Skyline and Skyline Graph functions in ArcGIS to extract the set of azimuth and elevation angles of topographic obstructions around each site from a DEM(considering the sample height above ground)and then incorporates the strike and dip information of the sample surface to derive the TS factor. All processing tools and steps are streamlined in ArcGIS modelbuilder and this model can be run like a standard ArcGIS geoprocessing tool. It provides an easy and user-friendly means to derive the TS factors for discrete samples based on a DEM and the measured strike, dip and sample height for each site.

Extraction and Analysis of Gully Head of Loess Plateau in China Based on Digital Elevation Model

In China′s Loess Plateau area, gully head is the most active zone of a drainage system in gully areas. The differentiation of loess gully head follows geospatial patterns and reflects the process of the loess landform development and evolution of its drainage system to some extent. In this study, the geomorphic meaning, basic characteristics, morphological structure and the basic types of loess gully heads were systematically analysed. Then, the loess gully head′s conceptual model was established, and an extraction method based on Digital Elevation Model(DEM) for loess gully head features and elements was proposed. Through analysing the achieved statistics of loess gully head features, loess gully heads have apparently similar and different characteristics depending on the different loess landforms where they are found. The loess head characteristics reflect their growth period and evolution tendency to a certain degree, and they indirectly represent evolutionary mechanisms. In addition, the loess gully developmental stages and the evolutionary processes can be deduced by using loess gully head characteristics. This study is of great significance for development and improvement of the theoretical system for describing loess gully landforms.

Determining Topographic Shielding from Digital Elevation Models for Cosmogenic Nuclide Analysis:a GIS Approach and Field Validation

Topographic shielding of cosmic radiation flux is a key parameter in using cosmogenic nuclides to determine surface exposure ages or erosion rates. Traditionally, this parameter is measured in the field and uncertainty and/or inconsistency may exist among different investigators. This paper provides an ArcGIS python code to determine topographic shielding factors using digital elevation models （DEMs）. This code can be imported into ArcGIS as a geoprocessing tool with a user-friendly graphical interface. The DEM-derived parameters using this method were validated with field measurements in central Tian Shan. Results indicate that DEM-derived shielding factors are consistent with field-measured values. It provides a valuable tool to save fieldwork efforts and has the potential to provide consistent results for different regions in the world to facilitate the comparison of cosmogenie nuclide results.

Effect of digital elevation models on monitoring slope displacements in open-pit mine by differential interferometry synthetic aperture radar

Displacement monitoring in open-pit mines is one of the important tasks for safe management of mining processes.Differential interferometric synthetic aperture radar(DInSAR),mounted on an artificial satellite,has the potential to be a cost-effective method for monitoring surface displacements over extensive areas,such as open-pit mines.DInSAR requires the ground surface elevation data in the process of its analysis as a digital elevation model(DEM).However,since the topography of the ground surface in open-pit mines changes largely due to excavations,measurement errors can occur due to insufficient information on the elevation of mining areas.In this paper,effect of different elevation models on the accuracy of the displacement monitoring results by DInSAR is investigated at a limestone quarry.In addition,validity of the DInSAR results using an appropriate DEM is examined by comparing them with the results obtained by global positioning system(GPS)monitoring conducted for three years at the same limestone quarry.It is found that the uncertainty of DEMs induces large errors in the displacement monitoring results if the baseline length of the satellites between the master and the slave data is longer than a few hundred meters.Comparing the monitoring results of DInSAR and GPS,the root mean square error(RMSE)of the discrepancy between the two sets of results is less than 10 mm if an appropriate DEM,considering the excavation processes,is used.It is proven that DInSAR can be applied for monitoring the displacements of mine slopes with centimeter-level accuracy.

Uncertainty of Slope Length Derived from Digital Elevation Models of the Loess Plateau, China

Although many studies have investigated slope gradient uncertainty derived from Digital Elevation Models(DEMs), the research concerning slope length uncertainty is far from mature. This discrepancy affects the availability and accuracy of soil erosion as well as hydrological modeling. This study investigates the formation and distribution of existing errors and uncertainties in slope length derivation based on 5-m resolution DEMs of the Loess Plateau in the middle of China. The slope length accuracy in three different landform areas is examined to analyse algorithm effects. The experiments indicate that the accuracy of the flat test area is lower than that of the rougher areas. The value from the specific contributing area(SCA) method is greater than the cumulative slope length(CSL), and the differences between these two methods arise from the shape of the upslope area. The variation of mean slope length derived from various DEM resolutions and landforms. The slope length accuracy decreases with increasing grid size and terrain complexity at the six test sites. A regression model is built to express the relationship of mean slope length with DEM resolution less than 85 m and terrain complexity represented by gully density. The results support the understanding of the slope length accuracy, thereby aiding in the effective evaluation of the modeling effect of surface process.

Facets of Uncertainty in Digital Elevation and Slope Modeling

This paper investigates the differences that result from applying different approaches to uncertainty modeling and reports an experimental examining error estimation and propagation in elevation and slope, with the latter derived from the former. It is confirmed that significant differences exist between uncertainty descriptors, and propagation of uncertainty to end products is immensely affected by the specification of source uncertainty.

Comparative study and error analysis of digital elevation model interpolations

Researchers in P.R.China commonly create triangulate irregular networks(TINs) from contours and then convert TINs into digital elevation models(DEMs).However,the DEM produced by this method can not precisely describe and simulate key hydrological features such as rivers and drainage borders.Taking a hilly region in southwestern China as a research area and using ArcGISTM software,we analyzed the errors of different interpolations to obtain distributions of the errors and precisions of different algorithms and to provide references for DEM productions.The results show that different interpolation errors satisfy normal distributions,and large error exists near the structure line of the terrain.Furthermore,the results also show that the precision of a DEM interpolated with the Australian National University digital elevation model(ANUDEM) is higher than that interpolated with TIN.The DEM interpolated with TIN is acceptable for generating DEMs in the hilly region of southwestern China.

LAN Tool: A GIS Tool for the Improvement of Digital Elevation Models Using Drainage Network Attributes

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are constructed using altitude point data and various interpolation techniques. The quality and accuracy of DEMs depend on data point density and the interpolation technique used. Usually however, altitude point data especially in plain areas do not provide realistic DEMs, mainly due to errors produced as a result of the interpolation technique, resulting in imprecise topographic representation of the landscape. Such inconsistencies, which are mainly in the form of surface depressions, are especially crucial when DEMs are used as input to hydrologic modeling for impact studies, as they have a negative impact on the model’s performance. This study presents a Geographical Information System (GIS) tool, named LAN (Line Attribute Network), for the improvement of DEM construction techniques and their spatial accuracy, using drainage network attributes. The developed tool does not alter the interpolation technique, but provides higher point density in areas where most DEM problems occur, such as lowland areas or places where artificial topographic features exist. Application of the LAN tool in two test sites showed that it provides considerable DEM improvement.

The J_2 invariant relative configuration of spaceborne SAR interferometer for digital elevation measurement

A 3-craft formation configuration is proposed to perform the digital elevation model （DEM） for the distributed spacebome interferometric synthetic aperture radar （InSAR）, and it is optimized by the modified ant colony algorithm to have the best compatibility with J2 invariant orbits created by differential correction algorithm. The configuration has succeeded in assigning the across-track baseline to vary periodically and with its mean value equal to the optimal baseline determined by the relative height measurement accuracy. The required relationship between crafts＇ magnitudes and phases is formulated for the general case of interferometry measure from non-orthographic and non-lateral view. The J2 invariant configurations created by differential correction algorithm are employed to investigate their compatibility with the required configuration. The colony algorithm is applied to search the optimal configuration holding the near-constant across-track baseline under the J2 perturbation, and the absolute height measurement accuracy is preferable as expected.

基于DEM的雷达阵地选址预处理方法研究

防空预警雷达阵地选址的优劣直接影响雷达本身及防空武器作战效能的发挥.针对基于数字高程模型(DEM)的常规实时计算方法存在耗时、耗力的问题,在明确阵地选址预处理内容的基础上,提出了预处理的具体流程和参数计算方法.通过数据预处理,以空间换时间的方式解决了阵地自动选址计算量大、耗时长的问题.实例仿真结果表明,该雷达阵地选址预处理方法大大缩短了自动选址时间,有效提高了选址效率.

DEM数据坐标转换和成果质量的检查方法

针对数字高程模型(DEM)数据三维坐标转换和转换成果质量检查的需求,本文研究了基于阿尔克·吉斯(ArcGIS)开发引擎平台的DEM数据的平面和高程坐标转换技术方法;同时根据DEM数据本身的特点,研究确定了合理的DEM数据转换成果质量检查内容和指标,解决了DEM数据转换成果质量检查标准的实际生产应用问题。本项目研究成果可保障北京市DEM数据在统一的基准下应用,推动与测绘地理信息相关的规划、建设和管理工作。

DEM Production/Updating Based on Environmental Variables Modeling and Conflation of Data Sources

Availability of digital elevation models （DEMs） of a high quality is becoming more and more important in spatial studies. Standard methods for DEM creation use only intentionally acquired data sources. Two approaches which employ various types of data sets for DEM production are proposed： （1） Method of weighted sum of different data sources with morphological enhancement that conflates any additional data sources to principal DEM, and （2） DEM updating methods of modeling absolute and relative temporal changes, considering landslides, earthquakes, quarries, watererosion, building and highway constructions, etc. Spatial modeling of environmental variables concerning both approaches for （a） quality control of data sources, considering regions, （b） pre-processing of data sources, and （c） processing of the final DEM, have been applied. The variables are called rate of karst, morphologic roughness （modeled from slope, profile curvature and elevation）, characteristic features, rate of forestation, hydrological network, and rate of urbanization. Only the variables evidenced as significant were used in spatial modeling to generate homogeneous regions in spatial modeling a-c. The production process uses different regions to define high quality conflation of data sources to the final DEM. The methodology had been confirmed by case studies. The result is an overall high quality DEM with various well-known parameters.

arcPycor:an open-source automated GIS tool to co-register elevation datasets

Subtraction of elevation datasets(e.g.digital elevation models(DEMs)and non-continuous elevation points)acquired at different times is a useful method to monitor landform surface change.Due to heavy post-processing of these elevation datasets,multi-source errors are introduced into the resulting elevation data products.To improve the estimation of elevation change,co-registration of elevation datasets is a prerequisite.This paper presents an open-source automated GIS tool(arc Pycor)for co-registering elevation datasets.arc Pycor is coded in Python 2.7 and is run via Arc GIS for Desktop.The performances of arc Pycor have been evaluated using a series of experiments.In benchmark tests,the resolved co-registration vectors of arc Pycor are compared to the predefined shift vectors obtained by artificially misaligning the slave DEMs from the master elevation datasets.Results show that arc Pycor is able to co-register DEMs with relative high accuracy and can well align slave DEMs to non-continuous elevation points,which indicates its robustness in co-registering of elevation datasets.arc Pycor is also able to co-register multi-sourced DEMs of different resolutions in mountain areas.

基于多尺度DEM一体化融合技术构建水利枢纽三维地形技术研究与应用

本文通过研究多尺度DEM一体化融合技术,构建了水利枢纽的三维地形模型,并深入研究了该技术在数字孪生乌鲁瓦提水利工程汛期模拟、汛期预演、汛期预警中的应用。首先对不同尺度DEM数据进行预处理,如数据清洗和去噪,以提高数据质量,然后采用多尺度分析方法,将不同尺度的DEM数据进行一体化融合,得到更准确、全面的地形信息。该技术的核心是基于多分辨率频域融合方法,将高分辨率DEM数据与低分辨率的DEM数据结合起来。通过分析不同尺度上的地形特征,可以提取出更丰富的地貌信息,为水利工程的规划和设计提供了重要的参考依据。

DEM数据源及分辨率对流域洪水模拟影响研究

以半干旱半湿润区的柳林流域为例,基于无人机三维倾斜摄影7 cm高分辨率和ASTER 30m两种数字高程模型(DEM)数据源,重采样获得1 m、5 m、10 m、20 m、30 m分辨率共10套DEM,构建HEC-HMS水文模型,选择1995—2021年20场洪水进行模拟,探讨DEM数据源和分辨率对洪水模拟精度的影响。结果表明:7 cm高分辨率地形数据源的1 m重采样DEM构建的模型,模拟结果相对较好,洪峰流量、径流量相对误差绝对值均值分别为16.4%和15.7%,NSE均值为0.657;ASTER 30m DEM构建的模型,洪峰流量、径流量相对误差绝对值均值分别为16%和18.7%,NSE均值为0.646,其他分辨率和数据源的DEM构建的模型,洪水过程模拟结果也差别不大。

融合自注意力机制与生成对抗网络的DEM空洞填充

针对现有数字高程模型(digital elevation model, DEM)数据空洞填充算法存在修复效果不连续、适用空值范围狭小以及细节重构丢失等问题,提出了一种融合自注意力机制的生成式对抗网络的DEM空洞填充方法。首先,构造自注意力机制提取DEM数据特征信息,改善DEM空洞填充结果高程值不连续和纹理细节缺失的问题。其次,在生成器中使用对称结构的卷积与反卷积网络结构,保证生成可靠度较高的数据以实现空洞区域填充,并利用判别器实现空洞填充结果的预分类。最后,结合重构损失函数进行训练,提升DEM空洞填充结果对异常值的鲁棒性,增强模型的回归能力。采用不同分辨率DEM数据进行空洞填充并与现有方法进行对比,结果表明:所提方法能够大幅提升填充精度,有效解决原始数据中存在的空洞问题。

A Case Study of Using External DEM in InSAR DEM Generation

Synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) has been used as an innovative technique for digital elevation model (DEM) and topographic map generation. In this paper, external DEMs are used for InSAR DEM generation to reduce the errors in data processing. The DEMs generated from repeat-pass InSAR are compared. For steep slopes and severe changes in topography, phase unwrapping quality can be improved by subtracting the phase calculated from an external DEM. It is affirmative that the absolute height accuracy of the InSAR DEM is improved by using external DEM. The data processing was undertaken without the use of ground control points and other manual operation.

Modelling of piping collapses and gully headcut landforms: Evaluating topographic variables from different types of DEM

The geomorphic studies are extremely dependent on the quality and spatial resolution of digital elevation model(DEM)data.The unique terrain characteristics of a particular landscape are derived from DEM,which are responsible for initiation and development of ephemeral gullies.As the topographic features of an area significantly influences on the erosive power of the water flow,it is an important task the extraction of terrain features from DEM to properly research gully erosion.Alongside,topography is highly correlated with other geo-environmental factors i.e.geology,climate,soil types,vegetation density and floristic composition,runoff generation,which ultimately influences on gully occurrences.Therefore,terrain morphometric attributes derived from DEM data are used in spatial prediction of gully erosion susceptibility(GES)mapping.In this study,remote sensing-Geographic information system(GIS)techniques coupled with machine learning(ML)methods has been used for GES mapping in the parts of Semnan province,Iran.Current research focuses on the comparison of predicted GES result by using three types of DEM i.e.Advanced Land Observation satellite(ALOS),ALOS World 3D-30 m(AW3D30)and Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer(ASTER)in different resolutions.For further progress of our research work,here we have used thirteen suitable geo-environmental gully erosion conditioning factors(GECFs)based on the multi-collinearity analysis.ML methods of conditional inference forests(Cforest),Cubist model and Elastic net model have been chosen for modelling GES accordingly.Variable’s importance of GECFs was measured through sensitivity analysis and result show that elevation is the most important factor for occurrences of gullies in the three aforementioned ML methods(Cforest=21.4,Cubist=19.65 and Elastic net=17.08),followed by lithology and slope.Validation of the model’s result was performed through area under curve(AUC)and other statistical indices.The validation result of AUC has shown that Cforest is the most appropriate model for predicting the GES assessment in three different DEMs(AUC value of Cforest in ALOS DEM is 0.994,AW3D30 DEM is 0.989 and ASTER DEM is 0.982)used in this study,followed by elastic net and cubist model.The output result of GES maps will be used by decision-makers for sustainable development of degraded land in this study area.

Design Bistatic Interferometric DEM Generation Algorithm and Its Theoretical Accuracy Analysis for LuTan-1 Satellites

LuTan-1(LT-1)is a constellation with two full-polarization L-band radar satellites designed by China,and the first satellite was scheduled to be launched in December 2021 and the second one in January 2022.The LT-1 will be operated for deformation monitoring in repeat-pass mode,and for DEM generation in bistatic mode,improving self-sufficiency of SAR data for the field of geology,earthquake,disaster reduction,geomatics,forestry and so on.In this paper,we focused on designing an algorithm for interferometric DEM generation using LT-1 bistatic satellites.The basic principle,main error sources and errors control of the DEM generation algorithm of LT-1 were systematically analyzed.The experiment results demonstrated that:①The implemented algorithm had rigorous resolution with a theoretic accuracy better than 0.03 m for DEM generation.②The errors in satellite velocity and Doppler centroid had no obvious effect on DEM accuracy and they could be neglected.While the errors in position,baseline,slant range and interferometric phase had a significant effect on DEM accuracy.And the DEM error caused by baseline error was dominated,followed by the slant range error,interferometric phase error and satellite position error.③To obtain an expected DEM accuracy of 2 m,the baseline error must be strictly controlled and its accuracy shall be 1.0 mm or better for Cross-Track and Normal-Direction component,respectively.And the slant range error and interferometric phase error shall be reasonably controlled.The research results were of great significance for accurately grasping the accuracy of LT-1 data products and their errors control,and could provide a scientific auxiliary basis for LT-1 in promoting global SAR technology progress and the generation of high-precision basic geographic data.