Do you know if simple linear statistics parameters like min, max, std dev, etc. are worth for morphometrical characterization of a near planar surface? What others statistical parameters exists that can help to understand the morphology of a surface? Rugosity and TRI index parameters can help?
Maybe you can be more clear explaining what are you focus on?, if is a near planar surface you can estimate the incision (envelope surface-topography), or the geophysical relief (range of pixels using neighbourhood statistics), the slope and the roughness (stdv(slope)) can be used to trace terraces and define erosion areas, also landslide sensitivity can be estimatd using the SINMAP model but in steep slopes etc. etc. etc.
Dear Julius and Richard
I will try to explain much better the problem.
As GIS specialist I am working with a geomorphologist to detect and characterize from the morphometric point of view an Etched Plains. I made some analysis using STRM and I Could calculate dip and azimuth without problems. Other parameters like rugosity and TRI index helped very well in this work. But what I want to know if there are any other parameters I can calculate using a GIS that can give me more interesting information about those kind of surfaces. In the other hand it is no so clear for me if simple stats can give me some useful information.
Anyway are there any paper about geomorphometry and etched plains you can suggest to me?
Thanks in advance
Scale matters when you convert a surface to pixels, so that is something to keep in mind. The most basic geomorphometric parameters are the second and third derivatives of the surface such as gradient and curvature (total, profile and plan).
Try these out:
Geomorphometry and landform mapping: What is a landform?http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169555X11001462
Elementary forms for land surface segmentation: The theoretical
basis of terrain analysis and geomorphological mapping
http://home.zcu.cz/~vskorkov/GM/Minar,%20Evans%20-%20Elementary%20forms%20for%20land%20surface%20segmentation%20--%20The%20theoretical%20basis%20of%20terrain%20analysis%20and%20geomorphological%20mapping.pdf
http://geomorphometry.org/
Rocko
Thanks! n.b. gradient is first derivative, curvature is second and change of curvature is third. For latter, see Minar et al IJ GIS 2013.
In addition to specifying the spatial scale of your question, as suggested by Rocko, I would advocate also specifying the temporal scale in your question. The concept of a 'surface' in geomorphometrics can be quite different than a surface in geomorphology. The former tends to relate to a 2, 2.5, or 3D geometric form that best fits some or all of the topography. In historical or stratigraphic geomorphology, a surface often refers to an erosional or depositional surface of a given geologic age. The geomorphic meaning of surface may be extended to the identification and mapping of terrace flights of a given age or similar features. Obviously, the geomorphic definition of surface requires more field information than purely geomorphometric mapping.
We created this graphic tool to measure the elevation in marine terraces and propagating its errors, (check the link).
the use of swath profiles may be useful for your research on etched plains.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/genl1kbgnp927l6/TerraceM_Geosphere.pdf?dl=0
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