Authors: Zhang, Jane Xinxin¹; Chang, Kang-Tsung²; Wu, Joan Qiong³

Source: International Journal of Geographical Information Science, Volume 22, Number 8, 2008 , pp. 925-942(18)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

Abstract:

Digital elevation models (DEMs) vary in resolution and accuracy by the production method. DEMs with different resolutions and accuracies can generate varied topographic and hydrological features, which can in turn affect predictions by soil erosion models, such as the WEPP (Water Erosion Prediction Project) model. This study investigates the effects of DEMs on deriving topographic and hydrological attributes, and on predicting watershed erosion using WEPP v2006.5. Six DEMs at three resolutions from three sources were prepared for two small forested watersheds located in northern Idaho, USA. These DEMs were used to calculate topographic and hydrological parameters that served as inputs to WEPP. The model results of sediment yields and runoffs were compared with field observations. For both watersheds, DEMs with different resolutions and sources generated varied watershed shapes and structures, which in turn led to different extracted hill slope and channel lengths and gradients, and produced substantially different erosion predictions by WEPP.

Keywords: DEM resolution; DEM accuracy; LIDAR; Forested watershed; Erosion modelling; WEPP

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13658810701776817

Affiliations: 1: Department of Geo/Physical Sciences, Fitchburg State College, Fitchburg, MA 01420-2697, USA 2: Department of Geography, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan 106 3: Department of Biological System Engineering, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 991640-6120, USA

Publication date: 2008-01-01

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