Effect of Point Cloud Data Simplification and Encryption on Micro-Topography Data Analysis

Simplification and encryption are performed on the point cloud data concerning high-relief( 20 cm tillage) and low-relief( raking bare slope) terrain on a different scale of observation. We select three indicators( surface curvature,slope aspect and surface roughness) to evaluate the effect of simplification and encryption on micro-topography data analysis. The results show that simplification and encryption have a significant impact on the curvature of high-relief terrain,but have no significant impact on low-relief terrain. The slope aspect change is not significant after 5,10 mm data simplification and encryption; 1 mm simplification has a regular impact on surface roughness; 5 mm encryption and simplification have a complex impact on high-relief terrain; 10 mm encryption has a complex impact on high-relief terrain roughness change but a regular impact on bare slope change.

UAV Laser scanning technology:a potential cost-effective tool for micro-topography detection over wooded areas for archaeological prospection

Airborne laser scanning(ALS)has recently been identified as a potential tool in topographic mapping for archaeological prospection.However,most existing applications in this field refers to manned ALS systems,for which the high operation and maintenance costs limits its application in small-scale archaeological investigation.In this paper,we conducted an exploratory study on the application of the unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV)laser scanning(ULS)system in ancient micro-topography detection over wooded areas.Compared with manned ALS technology,we analyzed the advantages and potentials of ULS technology for archaeological applications.Then we outlined existing mainstream survey-grade UAV-based laser scanners,data processing and visualization approaches.Furthermore,we performed case studies in three cultural heritage sites in Zhejiang Province,China using two representative mainstream survey-grade ULS systems.Results were then verified by an in-site investigation.Finally,the correct selection of ULS devices,the planning of data acquisition missions and the use of appropriate data processing methods specifically for archaeological prospection were discussed.This paper provides a cost-effective and flexible solution for micro-topography detection in wooded areas.ULS technology,as demonstrated here,can be an important supplement to existing archaeological investigation methods,particularly for small-scale areas,and has promising prospects in archaeological applications.

Soil water response to precipitation in different microtopographies on the semi-arid Loess Plateau,China

Soil water is an important factor restricting afforestation on the semi-arid Loess Plateau.The microtopography of the loess slope has changed the distribution pattern of soil water on the slope.To improve water utilization efficiency and optimize afforestation configuration patterns,the relationship between soil water and precipitation at micro-topographic scale must be studied.We used time series analysis to study the temporal variation of soil water and its response to precipitation in four kinds of micro-topographies and undisturbed slope on loess slopes.Micro-topographies significantly influenced soil water distribution and dynamics on the slopes.Soil water stored in the platform,sinkhole,and ephemeral gully influenced subsequent soil water for 4 weeks,whereas soil water stored in the scarp and undisturbed slope could influence soil water for 2 weeks.It took 12 weeks,10 weeks,18 weeks,6 weeks,and 12 weeks for precipitation to reach the deeper soil layer in the platform,sinkhole,scarp,ephemeral gully,and undisturbed slope,respectively.These soil water characteristics in different micro-topographies are vital factors that should be taken into consideration when undertaking afforestation on the Loess Plateau.

Deep profile soil moisture distribution characteristics for different microtopographies on the semi-arid Loess Plateau, China

Soil moisture is a limiting factor for vegetation restoration on the Loess Plateau, China. Micro-topography may cause heterogeneities in the distribution of soil moisture, but little is known about its effect on deep soil moisture. Our study aims to explore the distribution and impact of soil moisture within the upper 10 m of soil for different microtopographies. Taking undisturbed slope as the control, five micro-topographies were selected. Soil moisture over a depth of 0-10 m from 2017 to 2019 was investigated, and soil particle size and soil organic matter were measured. Variance analysis and multiple comparisons were used to analyze the difference in soil moisture for different microtopographies and multiple-linear regression was used to analyze the influence of micro-topography on soil moisture. There are significant differences in soil moisture within the different layers underlying the examined micro-topographies, while the inter-annual variation in soil water storage for the selected microtopographies increase with increased rainfall. The depth of influence of micro-topographic vegetation on soil moisture exceeded 1000 cm for a gully(GU), 740 cm for a sink hole(SH), 480 cm for a scarp(SC), 360 cm for an ephemeral gully(EG) and 220 cm for a platform(PL). Micro-topography will cause the heterogeneous distribution of soil moisture in the shallower layers, which changes the vegetation distribution differences between micro-topographies. This may be the survival strategy of herbaceous vegetation in response to climate change in the Loess Plateau. For future vegetation restoration efforts, we need to pay attention to the influence of microtopography on soil moisture.

Modeling and Mapping Forest Floor Distributions of Common Bryophytes Using a LiDAR-Derived Depth-to-Water Index

This article describes how the cartographic depth-to-water (DTW) index in combination with other variables can be used to quantify, model and map the distribution of common forest floor bryophytes, at 1 m resolution. This was done by way of a case study, using 12 terrain and climate representative locations across New Brunswick, Canada. The presence/absence by moss species was determined at each location along upland-to-wetland transects within >10-m spaced 1-m2 forest floor plots. It was found that Bazzania trilobata, Dicranum polysetum, Polytrichum commune, Hylocomium splendens, and Pleurozium schreberi had greater probabilities of occurrence in well-drained forested areas, whereas Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum girgensohnii dominated in low-lying wet areas. The presence/absence of each species was quantified by way of logistic regression analyses, using DTW, slope, canopy closure, forest litter depth, ecosite type (8 classes), nutrient regime (4 classes, poor to rich);vegetation type (deciduous, coniferous, mixed, and shrubs), and macro- and micro-topography (upland, wetland;mounds, pits) as predictor variables. Among these, log10DTW and forest litter depth were the most consistent predictor variables, followed by mound versus pit. For the mapping purpose, only log10DTW and already mapped classifications for upland versus wetland and vegetation type were used to predict the probability of occurrences for the most frequent moss species, namely, D. polysetum, P. schreberi and Sphagnum spp. The overall accuracy for doing this ranged from 67% to 83%, with false positives and negatives amounting to 18% to 42%. The overall classification accuracy exceeded the probability by chance alone at 76.8%, with the significance level reached at 75.3%. The average level of probability by chance alone was 60.3%.