A vector-based method for the extraction of catchment from grid DEMs

The methodology of catchment extraction especially from regular grid digital elevation models (DEMs) is briefly reviewed. Then an efficient algorithm, which combines vector process and traditional neighbourhood raster process, is designed for extracting the catchments and subcatchments from depressionless DEMs. The catchment area of each river in the grid DEM data is identified and delineated, then is divided into subcatchments as required. Compared to traditional processes, this method for identifying catchments focuses on the boundaries instead of the area inside the catchments and avoids the boundary intersection phenomena. Last, the algorithm is tested with a set of DEMs of different sizes, and the result proves that the computation efficiency and accuracy are better than existent methods.     

从规则格网DEM自动提取汇水区域及其子区域的方法

从DEM自动提取的汇水区域及其子区域信息对进一步的水文分析有着重要的辅助作用.在经过洼地处理的DEM及得到水流方向矩阵的基础上,本文提出并实现了一种汇水区域及其子区域的提取算法.该算法首先提取整个DEM区域内每条河流的汇水区域,然后按照不同的要求划分子区域.经过试验,与现有的方法相比,该算法在提取效率和结果准确性方面都有明显提高.     

Spheroidal equal angular DEMs: The specificity of morphometric treatment

Digital elevation models (DEMs) are commonly constructed using two main types of regular grids: plane square grids and spheroidal equal angular grids. Methods and algorithms intended for plane square‐gridded DEMs should not be directly applied to spheroidal equal angular DEMs. This is because these grids have fundamentally different geometry. However, some researchers continue to apply square‐grid algorithms to spheroidal equal angular DEMs. It seems appropriate to consider once again the specifity of morphometric treatment of spheroidal equal angular DEMs. This article, first, demonstrates possibilities of direct calculation of local, nonlocal, and combined morphometric variables from spheroidal equal angular DEMs exemplified by slope gradient, catchment area, and topographic index. Second, the article shows computational errors when algorithms for plane square‐gridded DEMs are unreasonably applied to spheroidal equal angular DEMs. The study is exemplified by two DEMs. A medium‐resolution DEM of a relatively small, high‐mountainous area (Mount Elbrus) was extracted from the SRTM1 DEM. A low‐resolution DEM of a vast region with the diverse topography (the central and western regions of Kenya) was extracted from the SRTM30_PLUS DEM. The results show that application of square‐grid methods to spheroidal equal angular DEMs leads to substantial computational errors in models of morphometric variables.     

基于数字高程模型的混合流向算法

从数字高程模型提取的汇水网络和汇水区等信息是分布式水文模型及应用分析的基础参数,基于地表汇水模拟的算法是提取该类信息的主要方法,其中,水流方向的确定对提取结果有着直接的影响。单流向算法因其易于实现、易于确定上游汇水区等特性,得到了广泛应用,然而单流向算法在坡度平缓区域会产生不自然的平行径流,能模拟地表水流分散径流特点的多流向算法可以在一定程度上避免此问题,但多流向算法使得不同区域的汇水单元可能存在交叉。本文结合两类流向算法各自的优点和适用性,设计实现了一种混合流向算法,以期在不同的地形条件下模拟得到更加合理的水流分配。首先,使用基于模板的形态检测方法,在给定阈值的基础上,对数字地形进行了分类,DEM被划分为山谷、山脊、鞍部、缓坡和陡坡5类。对陡坡、山谷和山脊区域运用单流向算法;对缓坡和鞍部区域采用多流向算法确定径流方向并进行水量分配。本文选取了黄土地貌和中低山丘陵的两个流域作为研究区,利用并采用了30 m和90 m两个分辨率的DEM。本文研究将混合流向算法与现有其他算法的结果进行比较。相比于多流向算法,该算法结果中的分散效应受到明显的抑制,相比于单流向算法,非自然的平行径流也大幅减少。同时,混合流向算法在较大分辨率DEM上（30 m）改进效果更加明显。     

The isotropic organization of DEM structure and extraction of valley lines using hexagonal grid

The automatic extraction of valley lines (VLs) from digital elevation models (DEMs) has had a long history in the GIS and hydrology fields. The quality of the extracted results relies on the geometrical shape, spatial tessellation, and placement of the grids in the DEM structure. The traditional DEM structure consists of square grids with an eight‐neighborhood relationship, where there is an inconsistent distance measurement between orthogonal neighborhoods and diagonal neighborhoods. The directional difference results in the extracted VLs by the D8 algorithm not guaranteeing isotropy characteristics. Alternatively, hexagonal grids have been proved to be advantageous over square grids due to their consistent connectivity, isotropy of local neighborhoods, higher symmetry, increased compactness, and more. Considering the merits above, this study develops an approach to VL extraction from DEMs based on hexagonal grids. First, the pre‐process phase contains the depression filling, flow direction calculation, and flow accumulation calculation based on the six‐neighborhood relationship. Then, the flow arcs are connected, followed by estimating the flow direction. Finally, the connected paths are organized into a tree structure. To explore the effectiveness of hexagonal grids, comparative experiments are implemented against traditional DEMs with square grids using three sample regions. By analyzing the results between these two grid structures via visual and quantitative comparison, we conclude that the hexagonal grid structure has an outstanding ability in maintaining the location accuracy and bending characteristics of extracted valley networks. That is to say, the DEM‐derived VLs based on hexagonal grids have better spatial agreement with mapped river systems and lower shape diversion under the same resolution representation. Therefore, the DEMs with hexagonal grids can extract finer valley networks with the same data volume relative to traditional DEM.     

基于分形的数字水系集水面积阈值确定研究

集水面积阈值的确定是基于数字高程模型提取水系过程中的关键环节,但目前集水面积阈值的确定存在着随意性和主观性.本文引入分维数量化集水面积阈值对水系提取的影响.研究表明,在给定标度区间内集水面积阈值和分维数存在着良好的回归关系.二者的拟合方程可用来进行集水面积阈值的合理确定和水系的准确提取.     

基于参考面的可视域算法

与传统基于视线的可视域算法相比，该算法不需进行DEM内插，无冗余计算，计算时间和视点位置与可视域面积无关，受DEM区域影响不大。     

基于栅格DEM的地形特征提取与分析

以陕北延安地区燕儿沟流域为实验样区,运用比较分析法和数理统计法进行基于栅格DEM的地形特征提取和分析,以及DEM分辨率对地形特征的影响,并计算和比较了地形特征的空间统计分布。研究表明:一个相对真实的DEM能够通过修改生成DEM的基本材料,以及对DEM进行再加工而获得。由于DEM分辨率的不同,由此得到的地形特征值(如坡度、地形指数、河网密度等)在统计特性上也会随之变化。随着DEM分辨率的降低,坡度减小,地形坦化,地形指数均值变大,流域总面积变大,子流域数量减少,河流总长度减小,河网密度降低。     

Digital close range photogrammetry for measurement of soil erosion

Many of the processes involved in soil erosion have dimensions on the millimetre scale. Modelling and quantification of such processes require information on soil surface topography with adequate resolution. The purpose of this study was to generate digital elevation models (DEMs) from soil surfaces with high spatial and temporal resolution. Digital photogrammetry was applied for measuring erosion rates on complex-shaped soil surfaces under laboratory rainfall conditions. A total of 60 DEMs were generated, covering a planimetric area of 16 m². The DEMs had a grid resolution of 3 mm. A vertical precision of approximately 1 mm was desired for DEM analysis. A consumer-grade digital camera was used for image acquisition. The camera was calibrated using BLUH software. Homologous points in overlapping images were identified with least squares matching software. Irregularly spaced object coordinates were interpolated to a regular grid in a geographic information system. The resulting DEMs represented the soil surface well. A precision of 1·26 mm in the vertical was attained. The precision of DEM production was limited to camera calibration. Improvements of the setup presented could include the use of better control points and more advanced image matching strategies for identification of homologous points. The DEMs allowed for detailed analysis of soil surface evolution.     

Application of satellite — based rainfall products and SRTM DEM in hydrological modelling of Brahmaputra basin

Hydrological modelling of large river catchments is a challenging task for water resources engineers due to its complexity in collecting and handling of both spatial and non-spatial data such as rainfall, gauge discharges, and topographic parameters. In this paper an attempt has been made to use satellite-based rainfall products such as Climatic Prediction Centre (CPC)-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) data for hydrological modelling of larger catchment where the limited field rainfall data is available. Digital Elevation Models (DEM) such as Global DEM (1 km resolution) and Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) 3-arc second (90 m resolution) DEM have been used to extract topographic parameters of the basin for hydrological modelling of the study area. Various popular distributed models have been used in this study for computing excess rainfall, direct runoff from each sub-basin, and flow routing to the main outlet. The Brahmaputra basin, which is very complex both hydraulically and hydrologically due to its shape, size, and geographical location, has been examined as study area in this study. A landuse map derived from the satellite remote sensing data in conjunction with DEM and soil textural maps have been used to derive various basin and channel characteristics such as each sub-basin and channel slope, roughness coefficients, lag-time. Percentage of residual flows computed between observed flows and simulated flows using Global and SRTM DEMs are discussed. It is found that the topographic parameters computed using SRTM DEM could improve the model accuracy in computing flood hydrograph. Need of using better resolution satellite data products and the use of high-density field discharge observations is discussed.     

岷江上游流域DEM的河网提取

DEM中包含了丰富的地质地貌、水文等信息,是流域分析的主要数据来源之一。详细介绍了利用DEM数据提取流域水系信息特征的方法,并以岷江上游为例,对DEM进行预处理,然后采用ArcGIS 9.3软件平台下Hydrology模块提供的D8算法来确定水流离开DEM栅格单元的方向,并计算流向各栅格单元的水流累积量,再根据给定的集...     

基于规则格网DEM的地形特征提取算法

提出并实现了一种基于规则格网DEM的地形特征线提取算法,该算法在现有地表水流模拟方法的基础上将矢量操作与栅格操作结合起来对规则格网DEM中的洼地进行填平处理,采用邻域格网分组扫描方法确定平地水流方向,与以往算法相比在提取效率和结果准确性等方面都有了明显的改进,从而也使其更加适合于对大规模的DEM数据进行处理,采用各种尺度的DEM进行试验的结果验证了以上结论.     

局部曲面正切曲率与流线曲率的水流路径算法

在局部特殊地形如细窄的沟渠等地带,水流方向可能是惟一的,即当前点的水应全部流入下游惟一的格网点,此时若采用多流向算法不仅会导致水流方向产生较大误差,而且可能影响区域汇水面积的精确计算。为解决此问题,本文提出了一种水流路径算法,该算法通过以各格网点为中心建立3×3窗口范围内的局部趋势面,利用该点在局部趋势面中的正切曲率和流线曲率选取合适的单流向或多流向算法来确定并计算该点的水流流向及流量分配比例。最后通过实例证明了该方法在水流累积量计算中的良好效果,并在一定程度上为格网DEM沟谷段和分水线段的提取奠定了基础。     

Effect of Contour Intervals and Grid Cell Size on the Accuracy of DEMs and Slope Derivatives

Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are indispensable tools in many environmental and natural resource applications. DEMs are frequently derived from contour lines. The accuracy of such DEMs depends on different factors. This research investigates the effect of sampling density used to derive contours, vertical interval between contours (spacing), grid cell size of the DEM (resolution), terrain complexity, and spatial filtering on the accuracy of the DEM and the slope derivative. The study indicated different alternatives to achieve an acceptable accuracy depending on the contour interval, the DEM resolution and the complexity of the terrain. The effect of these factors on the accuracy of the DEM and the slope derivative was quantified using models that determine the level of accuracy (RMSE). The implementation of the models will guide users to select the best combination to improve the results in areas with similar topography. For areas with variable terrain complexity, the suggestion is to generate DEMs and slope at a suitable resolution for each terrain separately and then to merge the results to produce one final layer for the whole area. This will provide accurate estimates of elevation and slope, and subsequently improve the analyses that rely on these digital derivatives.     

Improved Priority‐Flood method for depression filling by redundant calculation optimization in local micro‐relief areas

Depression filling is a critical step in distributed hydrological modeling using digital elevation models (DEMs). The traditional Priority‐Flood (PF) approach is widely used due to its relatively high efficiency when dealing with a small‐sized DEM. However, it seems inadequate and inefficient when dealing with large high‐resolution DEMs. In this work, we examined the relationship between the PF algorithm calculation process and the topographical characteristics of depressions, and found significant redundant calculations in the local micro‐relief areas in the conventional PF algorithm. As such calculations require more time when dealing with large DEMs, we thus propose a new variant of the PF algorithm, wherein redundant points and calculations are recognized and eliminated based on the local micro‐relief water‐flow characteristics of the depression‐filling process. In addition, depressions and flatlands were optimally processed by a quick queue to improve the efficiency of the process. The proposed method was applied and validated in eight case areas using the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission digital elevation model (SRTM‐DEM) with 1 arc‐second resolution. These selected areas have different data sizes. A comparative analysis among the proposed method, the Wang and Liu‐based PF, the improved Barnes‐based PF, the improved Zhou‐based PF, and the Planchon and Darboux (P&D) algorithms was conducted to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm. The results showed that the proposed algorithm is 43.2% (maximum) faster than Wang and Liu's variant of the PF method, with an average of 31.8%. In addition, the proposed algorithm achieved similar performance to the improved Zhou‐based PF algorithm, though our algorithm has the advantage of being simpler. The optimal strategies using the proposed algorithm can be employed in various landforms with high efficiency. The proposed method can also achieve good depression filling, even with large amounts of DEM data.     

Defining optimal DEM resolutions and point densities for modelling hydrologically sensitive areas in agricultural catchments dominated by microtopography

Defining critical source areas (CSAs) of diffuse pollution in agricultural catchments depends upon the accurate delineation of hydrologically sensitive areas (HSAs) at highest risk of generating surface runoff pathways. In topographically complex landscapes, this delineation is constrained by digital elevation model (DEM) resolution and the influence of microtopographic features. To address this, optimal DEM resolutions and point densities for spatially modelling HSAs were investigated, for onward use in delineating CSAs. The surface runoff framework was modelled using the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) and maps were derived from 0.25 m LiDAR DEMs (40 bare-earth points m⁻²), resampled 1 m and 2 m LiDAR DEMs, and a radar generated 5 m DEM. Furthermore, the resampled 1 m and 2 m LiDAR DEMs were regenerated with reduced bare-earth point densities (5, 2, 1, 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 points m⁻²) to analyse effects on elevation accuracy and important microtopographic features. Results were compared to surface runoff field observations in two 10 km² agricultural catchments for evaluation. Analysis showed that the accuracy of modelled HSAs using different thresholds (5%, 10% and 15% of the catchment area with the highest TWI values) was much higher using LiDAR data compared to the 5 m DEM (70–100% and 10–84%, respectively). This was attributed to the DEM capturing microtopographic features such as hedgerow banks, roads, tramlines and open agricultural drains, which acted as topographic barriers or channels that diverted runoff away from the hillslope scale flow direction. Furthermore, the identification of ‘breakthrough’ and ‘delivery’ points along runoff pathways where runoff and mobilised pollutants could be potentially transported between fields or delivered to the drainage channel network was much higher using LiDAR data compared to the 5 m DEM (75–100% and 0–100%, respectively). Optimal DEM resolutions of 1–2 m were identified for modelling HSAs, which balanced the need for microtopographic detail as well as surface generalisations required to model the natural hillslope scale movement of flow. Little loss of vertical accuracy was observed in 1–2 m LiDAR DEMs with reduced bare-earth point densities of 2–5 points m⁻², even at hedgerows. Further improvements in HSA models could be achieved if soil hydrological properties and the effects of flow sinks (filtered out in TWI models) on hydrological connectivity are also considered.     

基于两级格网的LiDAR数据组织与改进坡度滤波

提出一种基于双层格网与改进坡度滤波方法.该方法实现对原始数据的两级格网化,在一级网格中选出地面种子点,在此基础上利用二级网格进行地面点选取,不仅提高了运算效率还可以剔除粗差.在改进坡度滤波算法中,对传统滤波算法进行改进,提出3个坡度阈值,有效克服传统坡度滤波算法在地形起伏较大的地方可能发生的错误.试验结果表明,该算法计...     

Underlying topography extraction over forest areas from multi-baseline PolInSAR data

In this paper, the digital elevation model (DEM) for a forest area is extracted from multi-baseline (MB) polarimetric interferometric synthetic aperture radar (PolInSAR) data. On the basis of the random-volume-over-ground (RVoG) model, the weighted complex least-squares adjustment (WCLSA) method is proposed for the ground phase estimation, so that the MB PolInSAR observations can be constrained by a generalized observation function and the observation contribution to the solution can be adjusted by a weighting strategy. A baseline length weighting strategy is then adopted to syncretize the DEMs estimated with the ground phases. The results of the simulated experiment undertaken in this study demonstrate that the WCLSA method is sensitive to the number of redundant observations and can adjust the contributions of the different observations. We also applied the WCLSA method to E-SAR L- and P-band MB PolInSAR data from the Krycklan River catchment in Northern Sweden. The results show that the two extracted DEMs are in close agreement with the Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) DEM, with root-mean-square errors of 3.54 and 3.16 m. The DEM vertical error is correlated with the terrain slope and ground-cover condition, but not with the forest height.     

Morphometric analysis to determine floods in the Upper Krishna basin using Cartosat DEM

The evaluation of basin characteristics from the morphometric parameters helps in understanding the physical behaviour of the catchments with respect to floods. The advanced technologies, such as Remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS), were used for extraction of drainage networks using Cartosat Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Upper Krishna basin, to evaluate the morphometric analysis. Basin morphometric parameters were applied to assess the major influencing catchments which cause flooding in the main Krishna River. The morphometric analysis for the ten major potential flood prone river catchments of the basin reveals that, the river catchments such as Krishna, Koyna, Yerla having the greater tendency to peak discharge in a short period of time to the main Krishna River because of high relief ratio (Rh), high ruggedness number and less time of concentration (Tc). The Don catchment having the highest drainage density (Dd), stream frequency, mean bifurcation ratio and infiltration number causes greater runoff influence on the main Krishna River. The Dudhganga and Panchaganga catchments having highest form factor, medium Dd, texture ratio, Rh and time of concentration causes moderate runoff influence towards main Krishna River. The study indicates that systematic analysis of morphometric parameters derived from Cartosat DEM using GIS provide useful information about catchment characteristics with respect to floods management.     

Through-Water Close Range Digital Photogrammetry in Flume and Field Environments

Measurement of the structure of gravel-bed river surfaces is crucial for understanding both bed roughness and the sediment entrainment process. This paper describes the use of close range digital photogrammetry to measure and monitor change occurring in submerged river gravel-beds in both flume and field environments. High-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) were obtained and two-media (through air and water) techniques were used to correct for the e.ects of refraction at the air/water interface. Although suitable refractive models have been developed, the use of proprietary software to generate DEMs automatically introduces the problem of how to re-establish collinearity. A simple refraction correction algorithm based upon analytical geometry was developed and is described. This algorithm was designed for use after initial DEM acquisition and allows any photogrammetric software package to be used for data acquisition. Application of this algorithm led to improvements in DEM accuracy by reducing the systematic, depth-dependent bias caused by refraction
Research carried out in a flume environment allowed the algorithm to be tested by measuring a flooded and drained bed surface. Non-systematic differences between the "dry" and "wet" DEMs arose from reductions in stereomatching success in the two-media case. This effect was thought to be due to light attenuation and the introduction of residual parallax. Results suggest that close range digital photogrammetry can be used to extract high quality DEMs of submerged topography in both flume and field fluvial environments, which represents a particularly exciting development for fluvial geomorphologists