Terrain analysis has been an active study field for years and attracted research studies from geographers, surveyors, engineers and computer scientists. With the rapid growth of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology, particularly the establishment of high resolution Digital Elevation Models (DEM) at national level, the challenge is now focused on delivering justifiable socio-economical and environmental benefits. The contributions in this book represent the state of the art of terrain analysis methods and techniques in areas of digital representation, morphological and hydrological models, uncertainty and applications of terrain analysis.
LECTURE NOTES IN GEOINFORMATION AND CARTOGRAPHY Q. Zhou · B. Lees · G. Tang (Eds.) Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography Series Editors: William Cartwright, Georg Gartner, Liqiu Meng, Michael P. Peterson Qiming Zhou · Brian Lees · Guo-an Tang (Eds.) Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis Editors Prof. Qiming Zhou Hong Kong Baptist University Department of Geography Kowlon Tong Kowlooon Hong Kong/PR China
[email protected] Prof. Brian Lees The University of New South Wales at ADFA ACT 2600 Australia
[email protected] Prof. Guo-an Tang Nanjing Normal University Key Laboratory of Virtual Geographic Environment 210046 Nanjing China, People’s Republic
[email protected] ISBN: 978-3-540-77799-1 e-ISBN: 978-3-540-77800-4 Lecture Notes in Geoinformation and Cartography ISSN: 1863-2246 Library of Congress Control Number: 2008921722 c 2008 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: deblik, Berlin Printed on acid-free paper 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 springer.com Preface The chapters in this book mostly started as presentations at the Terrain Analysis and Digital Terrain Modelling conference hosted by Nanjing Normal University in November 2006. As far as I am aware this was the first international conference devoted specifically to this area of research, and since it was also my first visit to China it was an exciting and unique experience for me. The participants ranged from leaders in the field discussing visions and challenges for the future to students grappling with the possibilities and exploring new directions. These papers are a selection of the many presentations at the conference and give some indication of the breadth of research on show at the meeting. Digital terrain analysis has moved beyond a research tool into routine application, such as determination of catchment areas and flow pathways in hydrological