Comparison of slope estimates from low resolution DEMs : scaling issues and a fractal method for their solution

Auteurs :
ZHANG, X.
DRAKE, N.A.
WAINWRIGHT, J.
MULLIGAN, M.

Description :
Five different algorithms for calculating slope from digital elevation models (DEMs) have been compared from regional to global scales. The most significant outcome is that slope varies inversely with the DEM grid size. Thus, slopes estimated from coarse resolution data can be considered to produce significant underestimates of the true slope. A fractal theory is adapted to solve this problem. The variation of fractal parameters is discussed at various scales, and a model is developed to estimate the high resolution slope based on the coarse resolution DEM by using fractal parameters.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 1999, vol. 24, n°. 9, p. 763-779, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 37 ref.

Date :
1999

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley