Digital terrain analysis and remote sensing applied to geomorphometric characterization of landforms

Abstract

In this project we propose a comparison among digital elevation models build from topographic maps, stereoscopic orbital images (ASTER and ALOS-PRISM), radar interferometry, differential GPS and laser altimetry (LiDAR), in order to evaluate the applicability and the cost-benefit relationship of each product in geomorphometric/morphotectonic analysis.Several targets can be selected for testing, according to their relief, forest cover, land use or even the availability of data. This flexibility in selecting target areas allows a wide institutional insertion by means of collaboration with other researchers in present or future research projects and, also, the development of human resources, since it can be attractive to undergraduate or graduate students with interest in study distinct geographic regions.Two areas were pre-selected for studies: the Itapirubá dune field (Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil) and the karstic region of the high Ribeira river valley (southern São Paulo state). The dune field area is ideal for studying the relationship between spatial resolution of digital elevation models (DEMs) with the scale of landforms and the geometric properties calculated from the DEMs, since the landforms are well-defined, relatively clear from vegetation and with easy access for field work. Karstic regions present challenges to hydrological modelling in GIS, due the existence of several runoff sinking points of centripetal poligonal drainage basins. Detailed DEMs of the High Ribeira river valley region will allow a better delineation of polygonal drainage basins and the automatic identification of sinkholes, key elements in the study of karstic systems dynamics.The project, with a two-year schedule, will be conducted by the principal researcher in collaboration with professors/researchers from the host institution (IGc-USP) and also from other Brazilian and foreign universities / research institutions. (AU)