ABSTRACT:
Measurements of landscape surface roughness properties are necessary for understanding many watershed processes. This paper reviews the use of an airborne laser altimeter to measure topography and surface roughness properties of the landscape at Walnut Gulch Watershed in Arizona. Airborne laser data were used to measure macro and micro topography as well as canopy topography, height, cover, and distribution. Macro topography of landscape profiles for segments up to 5 km (3 mi) were measured and were in agreement with available topographic maps but provided more detail. Gullies and stream channel cross-sections and their associated floodplains were measured. Laser measurements of vegetation properties (height and cover) were highly correlated with ground measurements. Landscape segments for any length can be used to measure these landscape roughness properties. Airborne laser altimeter measurements of landscape profiles can provide detailed information on watershed surface properties for improving the management of watersheds.
Footnotes
Jerry C. Ritchie and Karen S. Humes are with the Hydrology Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville Agriculture Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland 20705; Mark A. Weltz is with the Southwest Watershed Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona 85719. The authors express appreciation to the USDA-ARS Remote Sensing Research Unit, Subtropical Agricultural Research Laboratory, Wes-laco, Texas for the use of their Aerocommander as a platform for flying the laser altimeter. Special appreciation goes to M.R. Davis, pilot, ARS, Weslaco, Texas, who flew the Aerocommander, and Robert Parry, Hydrology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, who operated the laser altimeter during the flight. Sincere appreciation is expressed for the staffs of the USDA-ARS Hydrology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, USDA-ARS Remote Sensing Research Unit, Subtropical Agricultural Research Laboratory, Weslaco, Texas, and USDA-ARS Southwest Watershed Research Center, Tucson, Arizona who provided logistical and ground support during the studies.
- Copyright 1995 by the Soil and Water Conservation Society
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