Title: Derivation of digital terrain models and morphological parameters from very high resolution satellite images

Authors: Nawras Shatnawi; Mohammed Matouq; Awni Khasawneh; Saeid Eslamian

Addresses: Department of Surveying and Geomatics Engineering, Balqa Applied University, Al-Salt, Jordan ' Chemical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Al-Balqa Applied University, Amman, 11131, Jordan ' Royal Jordanian Geographic Center, Jubaiha, Building No. 92, Amman, Jordan ' Department of Water Engineering, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University and Technology, Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran; Center of Excellence in Risk Management and Natural Hazards, Isfahan University and Technology, Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran

Abstract: Jordan is considered among the poorest countries in water resources in the world; therefore, many projects were introduced to the area to deal with this issue. The presented work focuses on two specific aspects - that could help in water resources management projects - the accuracy potential of these data in such areas and the benefit for hydrological models and applications using these data. We present methodology, ground truth validation and assessment for digital terrain model (DTM) generation by Pleiades data as well as for the derivation of drainage networks and morphometric parameters. The results were compared with DTM generated from laser scanning from airborne platforms (LiDar) data, which showed the ability of Pleiades data to generate DTMs in mountainous regions, and steep areas. The drainage density and morphometric parameters were also tested and compared. The absolute mean difference in elevation for the generated DTM from Pleiades data was 0.444 m (less than 1 pixel) with 0.509 standard deviation and root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.503, where the computed drainage density from both LiDar Pleiades data showed no significant difference.

Keywords: digital elevation models; DEMs; morphometric parameters; high resolution satellite images; Pleiades; laser scanning from airborne platforms; LiDar; ground control point; GCPs; filtering; refinement.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHST.2020.110564

International Journal of Hydrology Science and Technology, 2020 Vol.10 No.6, pp.515 - 526

Received: 25 May 2018
Accepted: 26 Dec 2018
Published online: 26 Oct 2020 *

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