顾及数据特性的格网DEM分辨率计算

水平分辨率是格网DEM的决定性变量之一,直接决定着DEM对地形的逼近程度和地形参数计算、地学模拟的精度。基于地统计学理论和非参数密度估计方法,提出了地形宏观变异和微观变异相结合的DEM适宜分辨率计算方法。即首先按系列支撑对采样数据进行格网划分,形成具有不同尺度的支撑域;然后利用正则化理论,对高程点数据进行正则化变换,通过不同支撑上正则化变量的半变异函数分析,探索不同支撑尺度上的地形宏观变异规律,从而确定地形宏观变异的最佳支撑尺度;第三,在所确定的宏观变异最佳支撑尺度内,借鉴非参数密度估计中直方图的理论方法,从微观角度计算DEM适宜分辨率。最后通过陕北黄土高原的实际采样数据,对本文提出的方法进行了验证。     

Uncertainty modeling and analysis of surface area calculation based on a regular grid digital elevation model (DEM)

In the field of digital terrain analysis (DTA), the principle and method of uncertainty in surface area calculation (SAC) have not been deeply developed and need to be further studied. This paper considers the uncertainty of data sources from the digital elevation model (DEM) and SAC in DTA to perform the following investigations: (a) truncation error (TE) modeling and analysis, (b) modeling and analysis of SAC propagation error (PE) by using Monte-Carlo simulation techniques and spatial autocorrelation error to simulate DEM uncertainty. The simulation experiments show that (a) without the introduction of the DEM error, higher DEM resolution and lower terrain complexity lead to smaller TE and absolute error (AE); (b) with the introduction of the DEM error, the DEM resolution and terrain complexity influence the AE and standard deviation (SD) of the SAC, but the trends by which the two values change may be not consistent; and (c) the spatial distribution of the introduced random error determines the size and degree of the deviation between the calculated result and the true value of the surface area. This study provides insights regarding the principle and method of uncertainty in SACs in geographic information science (GIScience) and provides guidance to quantify SAC uncertainty.     

Loess terrain segmentation from digital elevation models based on the region growth method

Regional automatic segmentation – automatic terrain segmentation according to terrain features – is significant for modern geographical analysis. We propose a new approach of terrain region segmentation based on the region growth method. This method features actual runoff nodes as seed points. The corresponding growth threshold is defined based on statistical analysis of quantitative indexes of topographic features. Terrain segmentation of some regions is completed using the growth threshold. The corresponding edge boundaries of different terrain regions are extracted by image processing. Thus, the automatic segmentation of the terrain region is realized by the edge boundary. The application of the method to a typical Chinese loess landform area and automatic segmentation of three types of terrain regions – gully interfluve land, gully slope land, and gully groove land – are achieved by analyzing characteristics of the curvature structure of surface profiles. Segmentation results, compared with results of visual interpretation from a high-precision digital orthophoto map, show an average accuracy of segmentation of 93.51%. Topographic factor features of segmentation results are statistically analyzed. This study presents an effective and practical approach for segmenting terrain regions. This approach may be incorporated into the theory and method system of digital terrain analysis.     

Free satellite imagery and digital elevation model analyses enabling natural resource management in the developing world: Case studies from Eastern Indonesia

Decentralization of governance and natural resource management is an ongoing process in many parts of Africa and Asia. Natural resource management requires spatial land resource data for planning. However, currently the financial and human capacity for natural resource mapping, monitoring and modelling remains low in local governments. In this context, this paper explores how new opportunities provided by the increasing availability of free satellite imagery, digital elevation data and open source spatial analysis software, can be applied by local government and NGOs to conduct sophisticated natural resource mapping and modelling in ways that meet their needs and incorporates local knowledge. Reported are cases of a local government using free geospatial data and GIS software to improve evidence‐based natural resource management in the developing world with a focus on raster data applications for satellite image analysis and terrain modelling. It is argued that, through removing barriers to uptake, such applications provide a means of decentralizing landscape analysis skills to improve local natural resource management. This hypothesis is supported through examples of a local government applying these tools in eastern Indonesia, and within this context barriers to wider adoption are explored.     

An adaptive approach to selecting a flow‐partition exponent for a multiple‐flow‐direction algorithm

Most multiple‐flow‐direction algorithms (MFDs) use a flow‐partition coefficient (exponent) to determine the fractions draining to all downslope neighbours. The commonly used MFD often employs a fixed exponent over an entire watershed. The fixed coefficient strategy cannot effectively model the impact of local terrain conditions on the dispersion of local flow. This paper addresses this problem based on the idea that dispersion of local flow varies over space due to the spatial variation of local terrain conditions. Thus, the flow‐partition exponent of an MFD should also vary over space. We present an adaptive approach for determining the flow‐partition exponent based on local topographic attribute which controls local flow partitioning. In our approach, the influence of local terrain on flow partition is modelled by a flow‐partition function which is based on local maximum downslope gradient (we refer to this approach as MFD based on maximum downslope gradient, MFD‐md for short). With this new approach, a steep terrain which induces a convergent flow condition can be modelled using a large value for the flow‐partition exponent. Similarly, a gentle terrain can be modelled using a small value for the flow‐partition exponent. MFD‐md is quantitatively evaluated using four types of mathematical surfaces and their theoretical ‘true’ value of Specific Catchment Area (SCA). The Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) shows that the error of SCA computed by MFD‐md is lower than that of SCA computed by the widely used SFD and MFD algorithms. Application of the new approach using a real DEM of a watershed in Northeast China shows that the flow accumulation computed by MFD‐md is better adapted to terrain conditions based on visual judgement.     

联合GPS和SARAL卫星测高数据构建南极Dome A区域DEM

南极冰盖数字高程模型(digital elevation model,DEM)对南极环境变化和地形研究具有重要作用,利用GPS实测数据和卫星测高数据建立DEM是构建南极冰盖表面DEM的重要方法。考虑到实测GPS数据的精度较高,而卫星测高的空间分辨率占优,本文探讨综合利用这两种数据构建南极Dome A区域DEM。法国国家空间研究中心和印度空间研究组织共同研制的SARAL卫星是Envisat的后续卫星,搭载的Alti Ka雷达高度计首次采用了Ka波段,可以极大减小电离层的影响,提高测距精度和卫星数据的空间分辨率。本文首先利用中国南极第29次科学考察在Dome A区域的实测GPS数据对SARAL数据进行精度评定,然后利用实测GPS数据对SARAL测高数据进行高程修正,联合GPS数据获取得到了Dome A区域300 m分辨率的DEM。结果表明SARAL的高程精度为0.615 m,而联合GPS数据能改善DEM精度,提高到0.261 m。     

Monitoring land changes in an urban area using satellite imagery,GIS and landscape metrics

Monitoring land changes is an important activity in landscape planning and resource management. In this study, we analyze urban land changes in Atlanta metropolitan area through the combined use of satellite imagery, geographic information systems (GIS), and landscape metrics. The study site is a fast-growing large metropolis in the United States, which contains a mosaic of complex landscape types. Our method consisted of two major components: remote sensing-based land classification and GIS-based land change analysis. Specifically, we adopted a stratified image classification strategy combined with a GIS-based spatial reclassification procedure to map land classes from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) scenes acquired in two different years. Then, we analyzed the spatial variation and expansion of urban land changes across the entire metropolitan area through post classification change detection and a variety of GIS-based operations. We further examined the size, pattern, and nature of land changes using landscape metrics to examine the size, pattern, and nature of land changes. This study has demonstrated the usefulness of integrating remote sensing with GIS and landscape metrics in land change analysis that allows the characterization of spatial patterns and helps reveal the underlying processes of urban land changes. Our results indicate a transition of urbanization patterns in the study site with a limited outward expansion despite the dominant suburbanization process.     

基于DEM的长江上游土地利用分析

全球环境变化与可持续发展是当今关切的重大问题之一,而土地利用/覆盖变化研究则是其中的热点和前沿领域。目前,严重的生态环境已成为长江上游地区经济社会发展的重大障碍,也是本区和整个长江流域实现可持续发展的最主要的制约因素。本文在DEM基础上,分析了2000年长江上游高程、坡度和坡向与土地利用的关系。研究结果表明,随着高程、坡度和坡向的变化,2000年长江上游的土地利用类型也有很大差异,这些因素对长江上游的土地利用有着重要的影响。为了保护生态环境,促进本区和整个长江流域实现可持续发展,需进一步因地制宜,结合高程、坡度和坡向等影响因素优化土地利用类型和改善地表覆盖。     

The use of SfM-photogrammetry to quantify and understand gully degradation at the temporal scale of rainfall events: an example from the Ethiopian drylands

Abstract

With the recent technological advances offered by SfM-photogrammetry, we now have the possibility to study gully erosion at very high spatial and temporal scales from multi-temporal DEMs, and thus to enhance our understanding of both gully erosion processes and controls. Here, we examine gully degradation and aggradation at a gully headcut and at four re-incisions along a gully reach in Northern Ethiopia. Environmental controls recorded are topography rainfall, runoff, land use and cover, land management, and soil characteristics. The overall vulnerability of the catchment to erosion is low as calculated from the RUSLE (average 11.83 t ha^?1 y^?1). This reflects the successful land management of the past years. The runoff coefficient was on average 7.3% (maximum 18.2%). Runoff events caused most geomorphic change in the gully, but slumping of the gully bank also occurred on dry days. Most geomorphic change was caused by one major rainfall event of 54.8 mm d^?1, and smaller runoff events caused both degradation and aggradation, often asynchronous between studied sites. Although most research focuses on gully heads alone, re-incisions at lower locations can still cause important gully degradation, which ultimately will reach the gully head and cause instability.     

The retail site location decision process using GIS and the analytical hierarchy process

The opening of a new establishment is a critical factor for firms in the retail sector because the decision carries with it a series of very serious financial and corporate image risks. This paper presents the development of a methodology for the process of selecting a retail site location that combines geographic information systems (GIS) and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The AHP methodology shows that the success factors for a supermarket are related to its location and competition. The proposed retail site location decision process was applied to the opening of a new supermarket in the Spanish city of Murcia.