Advances in Remote Sensing and GIS for Geomorphological Mapping

Dear Colleagues,

Geomorphological mapping is the main method for providing data for the analysis of landforms. This method of mapping utilizes five fundamental concepts—morphology, morphometry, morphogenesis, morhpochronology and morphodynamics. The method plays a crucial role in understanding Earth's surface processes, relief configuration, landscape evolution, and subsurface composition. Geomorphological maps, at a variety of scales, are required, not only for geomorphological research and praxis, but also for other sectors of environmental research and for professionals dealing with landscapes and landforms, urban planners, construction engineers, soil and forest scientists, land conservation managers, and natural hazard and geological risk managers.

Traditionally, geomorphological mapping has been based upon using information from the field and the interpretation of photographs, satellite images, and topographic maps. Recent advances in remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) have led to a revolution in the field of geomorphological mapping and have placed remotely sensed data as a core geomorphological data source. A growing number of new airborne and spaceborne sensors are now delivering data on landform distribution, surface composition, land surface elevation, and subsurface characterization at increasingly higher spectral, temporal, and spatial resolutions. This, in addition to the extended capabilities of GIS and geospatial analysis, considerably enlarges the capacity of geomorphological mapping.

This Special Issue aims to review and synthesize the newest progress in applications of remote sensing and GIS in geomorphological mapping. The prospective authors are encouraged to submit articles with respect to the following topics:

• New and improved techniques for remote sensing and GIS based mapping of geomorphological characteristics of landforms,
• Enhanced algorithms of image analysis for geomorphological mapping,
• Applications of airborne laser scanning (ALS) and terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) in geomorphological mapping,
• Applications of Digital Elevation Models, including photogrammetric applications of satellite imagery, such as SPOT, ASTER data, and others,
• Data fusion involving the integration of data with different spatial, spectral, and radiometric resolutions,
• The issue of temporal and spatial scales in remote sensing and GIS applications in geomorphological mapping,
• Uncertainty of remote sensing applications and its impact on the accuracies of geomorphological maps.

Dr. Pavel Propastin
Yongwei Sheng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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