高空间分辨率数字高程模型测量技术及其在活断层研究中的应用

首先分析了获取数字高程模型(DEM)的高分遥感立体测量、合成孔径雷达干涉测量技术、激光雷达测距技术和运动重建技术等技术手段,以及现阶段高空间分辨率数字高程模型(VHR DEM)提取技术的主要特点,实际应用中需根据研究区地形地貌特点选择合适的VHR DEM获取技术;然后,结合最新研究成果着重阐述了VHR DEM在活断层识别及几何结构分析、同震位移与累积位移获取和古地震研究等领域的最新应用;最后指出,VHR DEM由于其高精度、高空间分辨率的特点,正逐步改变传统活断层的研究方法,使得对活断层的研究进入到了前所未有的精细化水平.      

InSAR相位分解及其在生成DEM和研究地震形变场中的应用

InSAR是极具发展潜力的微波遥感新技术,可应用于数字高程模型的产生、制图和大范围微小地表形变的测量。考虑参考面、地形和地表形变等因素,本文从几何角度分析和讨论了In-SAR的相位分解,并给出了各相位分量的函数表达式,阐述了地表高程和形变信息提取的基本原理。最后以JERS和ENVISAT卫星数据为例,展示了合成孔径雷达干涉测量在生成数字高程模型和提取地震形变场中的应用及其数据处理过程。     

星载D-INSAR技术及初步应用——以西藏玛尼地震为例

近 10a来 ,干涉合成孔径雷达 (INSAR ,InterferometricSyntheticApertureRadar;简称 :干涉雷达 )测量技术取得了令世人瞩目的成绩 ,已成为极具有潜力的空间对地观测新技术。较详细地介绍了干涉合成孔径雷达、差分干涉合成孔径雷达 (D -INSAR ,DifferentialINSAR ;简称 :差分干涉雷达 )技术的基本原理 ,并以 1997年 11月 8日西藏玛尼地震为例 ,通过三通差分干涉处理 ,获取了玛尼地震前后的地表变形场。通过分析可知 ,变形梯度带与发震断层平行 ,均沿NEE -SWW(2 5 0°)分布 ,断层水平错距近 5m ,最大隆起斜距向位移量为 98cm ,最大沉降斜距向位移量为 95cm     

Topographic analyses of K*lauea Volcano, Hawai'i, from interferometric airborne radar

 We analyze digital topographic data collected in September 1993 over a ∼500-km² portion of K*lauea Volcano, Hawai'i, by the C-band (5.6-cm wavelength) topographic synthetic aperture radar (TOPSAR) airborne interferometric radar. Field surveys covering an ∼1-km² area of the summit caldera and the distal end of an ∼8-m-thick 'a'* flow indicate that the 10-m spatial resolution TOPSAR data have a vertical accuracy of 1–2 m over a variety of volcanic surfaces. After conversion to a common datum, TOPSAR data agree favorably with a digital elevation model (DEM) produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with the important exception of the region of the ongoing eruption (which postdates the USGS DEM). This DEM comparison gives us confidence that subtracting the USGS data from TOPSAR data will produce a reasonable estimate of the erupted volume as of September 1993. This subtraction produces dense rock equivalent (DRE) volumes of 392, 439, and 90×10⁶ m³ for the Pu'u '*'*, K*pa'ianah*, and episode 50–53 stages of the eruption, respectively. These are 124, 89, and 94% of the volumes calculated by staff of the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) but do not include lava of K*pa'ianah* and episodes 50–53 that flowed into the ocean and are thus invisible to TOPSAR. Accounting for this lava increases the TOPSAR volumes to 124, 159, and 129% of the HVO volumes. Including the ±2-m uncertainty derived from the field surveys produces TOPSAR-derived volumes for the eruption as a whole that range between 81 and 125% of the USGS-derived values. The vesicularity- and ocean-corrected TOPSAR volumes yield volumetric eruption rates of 4.5, 4.5, and 2.7 m³/s for the three stages of the eruption, which compare with HVO-derived values of 3.6, 2.8, and 2.1 m³/s, respectively. Our analysis shows that care must be taken when vertically registering the TOPSAR and USGS DEMs to a common datum because C-band TOPSAR penetrates only partially into thick forest and therefore produces a DEM within the tree canopy, whereas the USGS DEM is adjusted for vegetation. Received: 28 April 1998 / Accepted: 1 February 1999     

Reconstruction of the near‐offset gap in marine seismic data using seismic interferometric interpolation

In conventional seismic exploration, especially in marine seismic exploration, shot gathers with missing near‐offset traces are common. Interferometric interpolation methods are one of a range of different methods that have been developed to solve this problem. Interferometric interpolation methods differ from conventional interpolation methods as they utilise information from multiples in the interpolation process. In this study, we apply both conventional interferometric interpolation (shot domain) and multi‐domain interferometric interpolation (shot and receiver domain) to a synthetic and a real‐towed marine dataset from the Baltic Sea with the primary aim of improving the image of the seabed by extrapolation of a near‐offset gap. We utilise a matching filter after interferometric interpolation to partially mitigate artefacts and coherent noise associated with the far‐field approximation and a limited recording aperture size. The results show that an improved image of the seabed is obtained after performing interferometric interpolation. In most cases, the results from multi‐domain interferometric interpolation are similar to those from conventional interferometric interpolation. However, when the source–receiver aperture is limited, the multi‐domain method performs better. A quantitative analysis for assessing the performance of interferometric interpolation shows that multi‐domain interferometric interpolation typically performs better than conventional interferometric interpolation. We also benchmark the interpolated results generated by interferometric interpolation against those obtained using sparse recovery interpolation.     

基于CryoSat-2测高数据的全南极冰盖DEM的建立与精度评估

数字高程模型（DEM）是南极冰盖变化研究的基础,由于现场实测数据的稀缺,卫星测高数据是南极地区构建DEM的主要数据来源.CryoSat-2是新一代用于极地冰盖、海冰监测的测高卫星,本文利用2012-12—2015-01两个完整周期的CryoSat-2测高数据建立一个新的南极冰盖DEM.坡度是影响卫星测高精度的重要因素之一,利用改进的重定位方法对CryoSat-2数据进行坡度改正.插值方法是影响DEM精度的重要因素,通过对几种常用插值方法的比较,最后选用克里金插值方法对测高数据进行插值,建立了1 km分辨率的南极DEM.在88°S以南的CryoSat-2数据空白区,利用南极数字数据库（ADD）的等高线数据对DEM进行填补,建立了全南极冰盖DEM.利用ICESat卫星测高数据、IceBridge航空测高数据以及GPS地面实测数据对新建立的CryoSat-2 DEM进行精度验证,并与Bamber 1 km DEM、ICESat DEM、RAMPv2 DEM以及JLB97 DEM等四种国际上常用的南极DEM进行比较.结果表明：新建立的CryoSat-2 DEM的整体精度约为0.730±8.398 m;在冰穹顶部区域,DEM精度优于1 m;在冰架上,DEM精度约为4 m;在内陆冰盖大部分地区,DEM精度优于10 m;在地形复杂的山区和沿海边缘地区,DEM误差超过150 m.

     

干涉雷达在获取地震同震位移场中的应用

给出了干涉雷达位相构成的表达式,其次对干涉雷达的数据处理方法进行了比较分析并且对一些数据处理应注意的问题进行了阐述;最后以1997年11月8日西藏玛尼发生的7. 5级地震前后的ERS-1/2干涉雷达数据为基础,介绍了干涉雷达在获取西藏玛尼地震同震位移场中的应用。     

How does DEM resolution affect microtopographic characteristics,hydrologic connectivity,and modelling of hydrologic processes?

The resolution of a digital elevation model (DEM) is a crucial factor in watershed hydrologic and environmental modelling. DEM resolution can cause significant variability in the representation of surface topography, which further affects quantification of hydrologic connectivity and simulation of hydrologic processes. The objective of this study is to examine the effects of DEM resolution on (1) surface microtopographic characteristics, (2) hydrologic connectivity, and (3) the spatial and temporal variations of hydrologic processes. A puddle‐to‐puddle modelling system was utilized for surface delineation and modelling of the puddle‐to‐puddle overland flow dynamics, surface runoff, infiltration, and unsaturated flow for nine DEM resolution scenarios of a field plot surface. Comparisons of the nine modelling scenarios demonstrated that coarser DEM resolutions tended to eliminate topographic features, reduce surface depression storage, and strengthen hydrologic connectivity and surface runoff. We found that reduction in maximum depression storage and maximum ponding area was as high as 97.56% and 76.36%, respectively, as the DEM grid size increased from 2 to 80 cm. The paired t‐test and fractal analysis demonstrated the existence of a threshold DEM resolution (10 cm for the field plot), within which the DEM‐based hydrologic modelling was effective and acceptable. The effects of DEM resolution were further evaluated for a larger surface in the Prairie Pothole Region subjected to observed rainfall events. It was found that simulations based on coarser resolution DEMs (>10 m) tended to overestimate ponded areas and underestimate runoff discharge peaks. The simulated peak discharge from the Prairie Pothole Region surface reduced by approximately 50% as the DEM resolution changed from 2 to 90 m. Fractal analysis results elucidated scale dependency of hydrologic and topographic processes. In particular, scale analysis highlighted a unique constant–threshold–power relationship between DEM scale and topographic and hydrologic parameters/variables. Not only does this finding allow one to identify threshold DEM but also further develop functional relationships for scaling to achieve valid topographic characterization as well as effective and efficient hydrologic modelling. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

High-accuracy topographical information extraction based on fusion of ASTER stereo-data and ICESat/GLAS data in Antarctica

In order to better support Antarctic inland ice sheet expedition from Zhongshan Station to Dome A, the topographic data are necessary. At present, although the entire Antarctic DEM provided by RAMP (Radarsat Antarctic Mapping Project) was estimated at the highest horizontal (spatial) resolution of about 200 m, the real horizontal resolution of the DEM varies from place to place depending on the density and scale of the original source data. For ice shelves and the inland ice sheet, the horizontal resolution is about 5 km; the vertical accuracy is estimated to be ±50 m in interior East Antarctic ice sheet and away from the mountain ranges. Therefore, more accurate topographic data are unavailable in Antarctica. In order to meet the requirements of high-accuracy topographic information for further researches, this paper mainly addresses a fusion study of ASTER stereo pairs and ICESat/GLAS altimetry data for extraction of high-accuracy DEM in East Antarctica, based on the high horizontal resolution (15 m) of ASTER and vertical accuracy (13.8 cm) of ICESat/GLAS. First, some altimetry data were selected as vertical control points to reduce errors of image correlation matching during the extraction of ASTER-based DEM. Second, ice sheet altimetry data derived from ICESat were used to generate DEM ranging from 75° to 81°S because existing ASTER data do not cover this area and high density of the coverage of ICESat altimetry data. Finally, the DEM in coverage of the expedition route was produced. The analysis of result reveals that the DEM accuracy is improved significantly. The absolute vertical accuracy of DEM is higher than 15 m in some cases and higher than 30 m for all the areas along the expedition route except from the 009-001 scene; the interior accuracy is higher than 15 m and higher than 7 m in some cases. It can meet the requirements of topographic map at 1:50000 scale, which is an economic and advantageous method to produce the topographic products. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. 40606002), Surveying and Mapping in Chinese Antarctic Expedition Area (Grant No. 1469990711109-1), National Key Technology R & D Program (Grant No. 2006BAD18B01), and GLA12 dataset of ICESat/GLAS in National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC)     

Evaluation of digital channel network derivation methods in a glaciated subalpine catchment

The digital elevation model (DEM) has become an essential tool for an increasing array of mountain runoff analyses, particularly the derivation and mapping of stream channel networks. This study examines how well commonly applied DEM‐based channel derivation methods at different spatial resolutions can represent the channel network for a glaciated Rocky Mountain headwater catchment. The specific objectives are to (1) examine how differences in gridded DEM resolution affect spatially distributed values of local slope, specific contributing area, and topographic wetness index derived from both eight and infinite directional flow algorithms, (2) map the actual stream channel network to examine the influence of surface variables on channel initiation, and (3) assess accuracy of DEM‐derived networks compared with the field surveyed network. Results show that for the same contributing area threshold, increasing grid cell size leads to increased channelization of modeled networks. A plot of local slope versus contributing area reveals a negative relationship similar to that of prior studies in un‐glaciated areas but with breaks in slope at contributing areas that are too small to represent thresholds for channelization. Field survey results and evaluation of DEM‐derived channel networks suggest that channel network formation is not clearly related to surface topographic variables at Loch Vale. Digitally derived channel networks do not accurately predict low order channel locations, but approximations of the channel network with drainage density and headward extent of channelization similar to the observed network can be derived with both a 1 m and 10 m DEM using a contributing area threshold of approximately 4x10⁴ m². Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Morphologic analysis of the temporal change of forest cover

A morphologic analysis of forest cover in a time span of twelve years is presented in this work. Two multispectral LANDSAT TM-4 images of the years 1989 and 2001 were used. These images cover a forest area where significant changes have occurred in such years. These images were expanded in terms of canonical-expansion variables that describe the spatial-spectral response of the forest masses. The images were modeled as a vector field of as many dimensions as the number of bands employed in the analysis. A vector field was constructed using canonical-variable bands. The set of canonical variables for each year was used to quantify a vector change of the forest masses. This vector change quantifies the degree of alteration of the forest masses. A region-growth algorithm was used to segment the areas occupied by the forest. This algorithm uses as input the canonical variables. The result of such segmentation is a binary image named the bitmap. From this bitmap, a morphologic analysis of the area occupied by the forest was undertaken. A DEM generated from a radar interferometric pair of the RADARSAT 1 satellite, was used to perform a cross-reference with the bitmaps. This cross-reference leads to the derivation of the elevation of occurrence of changes in the forest masses.     

Evaluation of ASTER GDEM and SRTM and their suitability in hydraulic modelling of a glacial lake outburst flood in southeast Tibet

The resolution and accuracy of digital elevation models (DEMs) can affect the hydraulic simulation results for predicting the effects of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). However, for the Tibetan Plateau, high‐quality DEM data are often not available, leaving researchers with near‐global, freely available DEMs, such as the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer Global Digital Elevation Model (ASTER GDEM) and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission data (SRTM) for hydraulic modelling. This study explores the suitability of these two freely available DEMs for hydraulic modelling of GLOFs. Our study focused on the flood plain of a potentially dangerous glacial lake in southeastern Tibet, to evaluate the elevation accuracy of ASTER GDEM and SRTM, and their suitability for hydraulic modelling of GLOFs. The elevation accuracies of ASTER GDEM and SRTM were first validated against field global position system (GPS) survey points, and then evaluated with reference to the relatively high precision of 1:50 000 scale DEM (DEM5) constructed from aerial photography. Moreover, the DEM5, ASTER GDEM and SRTM were used as basic topographic data to simulate peak discharge propagation, as well as flood inundation extent and depth in the Hydrologic Engineering Center's River Analysis System one‐dimensional hydraulic model. Results of the three DEM predictions were compared to evaluate the suitability of ASTER GDEM and SRTM for GLOF hydraulic modelling. Comparisons of ASTER GDEM and SRTM each with DEM5 in the flood plain area show root‐mean‐square errors between the former two as ± 15·4 m and between the latter two as ± 13·5 m. Although SRTM overestimates and ASTER GDEM underestimates valley floor elevations, both DEMs can be used to extract the elevations of required geometric data, i.e. stream centre lines, bank lines and cross sections, for flood modelling. However, small errors still exist in the cross sections that may influence the propagation of peak discharge. The flood inundation extent and mean water depths derived from ASTER GDEM predictions are only 2·2% larger and 2·3‐m deeper than that of the DEM5 predictions, whereas the SRTM yields a flood zone extent 6·8% larger than the DEM5 prediction and a mean water depth 2·4‐m shallower than the DEM5 prediction. The modelling shows that, in the absence of high‐precision DEM data, ASTER GDEM or SRTM DEM can be relied on for simulating extreme GLOFs in southeast Tibet. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Joint interferometric imaging of walkaway VSP data

In this paper, we image the subsurface reflectors by interferometric imaging using primary and downgoing first-order free-surface related multiple reflections in walkaway VSP data. By analyzing the stack fold distribution, we find that primary-direct interferometric imaging has a smaller image range, but its stack fold is higher near the well while ghost-direct interferometric imaging is the opposite. We try to solve this problem by the joint interferometric imaging of walkaway VSP data, combining primary-direct interferometric imaging with ghost-direct interferometric imaging. In this way, we can effectively widen the imaging range, simultaneously increase the fold (especially near the well), suppress spurious interference, and improve the image SNR, so that we can get a more credible image. Test results on synthetic walkaway VSP data and field data show that joint interferometric imaging is very effective.     

起伏地形下天文辐射分布式估算模型

基于数字高程模型（DEM）,建立了起伏地形下天文辐射分布式估算模型.模型全面考虑了地形因子对天文辐射的影响,只需DEM数据作为输入项,适用于遥感图像处理、地理信息系统等数据处理平台.以1km×1km分辨率的DEM数据作为地形的综合反映,计算了我国全年各月天文辐射的空间分布.结果表明：我国年天文辐射总量有明显的纬向分布特点,随着纬度的降低,年天文辐射总量由北向南增加;由于受坡向、坡度和地形遮蔽因子影响,山区天文辐射表现出非地带性分布特征.本文所提供的我国天文辐射数据产品,可作为基础地理数据供相关研究应用.     

大地水准面高对InSAR大范围地壳形变监测的影响分析

由于InSAR数据处理所用的WGS84参考椭球系统与通用的DEM高程系统(EGM96大地水准参考面)不一致,在InSAR形变监测分析中会引入大地水准面高导致的误差.本文利用覆盖青藏高原北部阿尔金断裂带西段的27景Envisat ASAR宽幅模式数据和44景条带模式数据,研究了大地水准面高与InSAR大范围形变测量不确定性的关系:(1)模拟分析表明对于100 m的垂直基线,8.8 m的DEM测量误差,若研究区域存在20 m的大地水准面高的变化,对宽幅或条带模式InSAR形变测量造成的影响将由3 mm增至10 mm左右;(2)实例验证表明对于不同的研究区域,大地水准面高与该地区地形变化存在较大相关性,对于同一研究区域,垂直基线的大小决定了大地水准面高对InSAR不确定性的影响程度;(3)对于大地水准面高有较大梯度变化的研究区域,组合短基线方法与去除轨道平面的方法难以消除大地水准面高的影响.使用基于WGS84高程系统的DEM,可以为InSAR形变测量分析提供统一的高程基准,有效避免大地水准面高误差的影响.     

Walkaway VSP数据的联合相干成像(英文)

本文将相干成像用于WVSP数据的一次反射波和下行地表多次波的成像中,通过对叠加次数分布的分析,发现一次反射波相干成像的成像范围小但在井位置处的叠加次数高;下行地表多次波相干成像的成像范围大而在井位置处的叠加次数少。基于此,本文尝试利用一种WVSP的联合相干成像方法来解决这一问题。该方法利用WVSP的直达波与下行地表多次波和直达波与一次反射波来进行联合相干成像。这种联合相干成像方法在有效拓宽成像面积的同时增加了覆盖次数(特别是在井旁),使干涉记录中的虚假同相轴得到了有效地压制,提高了成像剖面的信噪比,使成像结果更加可靠。正演模拟得到的WVSP合成记录和野外实际采集到的WVSP数据处理结果均表明这种方法的有效性。     

基于P5立体像对和高分辨率Google Earth影像的丽江-小金河断裂断错地貌解译

丽江-小金河断裂斜切中国西南“川滇菱块”,走向北东,为一高角度斜滑断裂.与平面遥感影像相比,通过三维影像解译断错地貌有显著的优越性.印度P5卫星数据具备真正2.5m分辨率,在制图方面,像对生成DEM以及制图精度可达1∶25000.本文依据立体像对提取DEM的原理,利用ENVI软件DEM Extraction模块提耿出了丽江-小金河断裂带P5立体像对的DEM.文中利用等高线套合分析法和剖面线法对DEM精度进行评价,结论认为,DEM精度优于1∶5万地形图等高线高程精度,而且与实时动态差分（RTK）测量结果比较一致.文章重点选取了丽江市北东方向干塘子和西南方向南溪盆地两处,将三种高程数据——从P5立体像对提取出的DEM、google earth影像地形高程和1∶5万矢量地形图等高线生成的DEM,结合Google Earth影像做成三维立体影像,较为直观地对三种高程数据进行了有效的对比,结论认为,P5立体像对生成的DEM精度最高.在室内利用高精度三维立体图对丽江-小金河断裂断层地貌进行了解译,经过野外踏勘和探槽验证,证明三维影像解译具有很高的利用价值.     

TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X获取高精度数字高程模型技术研究

以双星系统(TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X)下的bistatic数据模式为例研究了差分干涉获取高精度DEM产品的融合算法和技术流程.针对不同观测几何条件下(升降轨,不同入射角)观测数据的畸变和缺失,提出一种迭代的顾及垂直基线、阴影和叠影的数据融合新方法重建高分辨率高精度的数字高程模型,并对TanDEM-X融合的DEM在不同地物属性特征下(山区及高楼林立的城区)的精度进行定量分析.本文采用了两对覆盖珠海、澳门区域的升降轨TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X干涉对进行融合处理,并通过收集的高精度Lidar数据进行精度比较分析.此外,本文还定量分析了TanDEM-X的DEM对常规DInSAR技术的改进,并与SRTM、ASTER的结果进行对比.结果表明:提出的升降轨融合方法较单一轨道平台能够较好地改正或减弱由于几何畸变引起的高程信息缺失或错误,通过与Lidar数据的对比发现TanDEM-X的融合DEM在山区的精度较高,其残差的标准差为3.5 m,较单一轨道(升、降轨)分别降低8%和22%,能够通过迭代的方法获取高分辨率(可达2~5 m)、高精度的地形信息;而针对城区密集建筑物的复杂地形来说,融合的DEM的精度稍低,残差的标准差为11.8 m,但较单一轨道(升、降轨)来说有较大改进,其残差标准差分别降低了28%和22%;而在分布较为稀疏的居民区,融合的DEM能够较Lidar数据获取更好的建筑物高度及外形信息,此时的残差标准差可达5 m.同时,TanDEM-X的融合DEM作为外部DEM能够较SRTM和ASTER来说更好地去除地形信息,尤其在山区及高程建筑密集分布的城区,从而利于后续的相位解缠和形变信息的精确获取和解译,为更高精度的时序InSAR形变监测提供有利条件.     

Evaluation of DEM generation based on Interferometric SAR using TanDEM-X data in Tokyo

This study is focused on the evaluation of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for Tokyo, Japan from data collected by the recently launched TerraSAR add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements (TanDEM-X), satellite of the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The aim of the TanDEM-X mission is to use Interferometric SAR techniques to generate a consistent high resolution global DEM dataset. In order to generate an accurate global DEM using TanDEM-X data, it is important to evaluate the accuracy at different sites around the world. Here, we report our efforts to generate a high-resolution DEM of the Tokyo metropolitan region using TanDEM-X data. We also compare the TanDEM-X DEM with other existing DEMs for the Tokyo region. Statistical techniques were used to calculate the elevation differences between the TanDEM-X DEM and the reference data. Two high-resolution LiDAR DEMs are used as independent reference data. The vertical accuracy of the TanDEM-X DEM evaluated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) is considerably higher than the existing global digital elevation models. However, the local area DEM generated by Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI DEM) showed the highest accuracy among all non-LiDAR DEM’s. The vertical accuracy in terms of RMSE estimated using the 2 m LiDAR as reference is 3.20 m for TanDEM-X, 2.44 m for the GSI, 7.00 m for SRTM DEM and 10.24 m for ASTER-GDEM. We also compared the accuracy of TanDEM-X with the other DEMs for different types of land cover classes. The results show that the absolute elevation error of TanDEM-X is higher for urban and vegetated areas, likewise to those observed for other global DEM’s. This is probably because the radar signals used by TanDEM-X tend to measure the first reflective surface that is encountered, which is often the top of the buildings or canopy. Hence, the TanDEM-X based DEM is more akin to a Digital Surface Model (DSM).     

‘Out with the Old?’ Why coarse spatial datasets are still useful for catchment‐scale investigations of sediment (dis)connectivity

The increasing popularity of remote sensing techniques has created numerous options for researchers seeking spatial datasets, especially digital elevation models (DEMs), for geomorphic investigations. This yields an important question regarding what DEM resolution is most appropriate when answering questions of geomorphic significance. The highest possible resolution is not always the best choice for a particular research aim, and DEM resolution should be tailored to fit both the scale of investigation and the simplicity/complexity of modelling processes applied to the dataset. We find that DEM resolution has a significant effect on a simple model of bed load sediment connectivity in the Lockyer Valley, Queensland. We apply a simple bed load transport threshold to catchment DEMs at three different resolutions – 1 m, 5 m, and 25 m. We find that using a 1 m resolution DEM generates numerous disconnections along tributary channel networks that underestimates the sediment contributing area, i.e. effective catchment area (ECA), of seven tributary basins of Lockyer Creek. Utilizing a coarser (lower‐resolution) DEM helps eliminate erroneous disconnections, but can reduce the detail of stream network definition. We find that the 25 m resolution DEM provides the best measure of ECA for comparing sediment connectivity between tributary catchments. The utility of simple models and coarse‐resolution datasets is important for undertaking large, catchment‐scale geomorphic investigations. As catchment‐scale investigations are becoming increasingly entwined with river management and rehabilitation efforts, scientists need not embrace an ‘out with the old’ philosophy. Simple models and coarse‐resolution datasets can help better integrate geomorphic research with management strategies and provide inexpensive and quick first‐order insights into catchment‐scale processes that can help focus future management efforts. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.