A Comparison of SRTM V4 and ASTER GDEM for Hydrological Applications in Low Relief Terrain

作者：Moreno de las Heras Mariano^*; Saco Patricia M; Willgoose Garry R

来源：Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, 2012, 78(7): 757-766.

We compare the performance of the latest version of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission elevation model (slim V4) with the ASTER-derived model (ASTER GDEM Version 1) for the determination of hydrological and geomorphological descriptors in low gradient Australian landscapes. The vertical quantization of these models (1 m) limited the landform representation, generating flat areas that required extensive preprocessing to produce hydrologically connected surfaces. The ASTER GDEM was more affected by surface filtering (i.e., depression filling and flat areas treatment), especially in areas containing systematic artifacts (e.g., pits, steps) that changed network properties. The vertical data accuracy of these models failed to resolve uncertainties associated with flow routing in nearly flat areas. We conclude that the SRTM V4 is a more reliable model, particularly in areas where the ASTER GDEM displays elevation artifacts. However, its performance is constrained due to the lack of both adequate data accuracy, and sub-meter vertical detail.

• 出版日期2012-7