Coffee Talk - WhiteBox for Geomorphometry

Published: Oct 10, 2022 by ISG Board

WhiteBox for Geomorphometry

Prof. John Lindsay
The University of Guelph, Canada

December 7th , 2022
7:00 MDT (UTC -6), 9:00 EDT (UTC -4), 10:00 BRT (UTC - 3), 14:00 BST (UTC +1), 15:00 CEST (UTC +2), 16:00 EEST (UTC +3), 21:00 CST (UTC +8)

Recording available in our YouTube channel

Bio: John Lindsay is a geomorphometry and geomatics researcher who explores the applications of topographic data to spatial hydrology, geomorphology, and environmental modelling. He is particularly interested in LiDAR digital elevation models (DEM) and their use in modelling surface drainage patterns, and in multi-scale land- surface characterization. Prof. Lindsay’s research often involves the development and testing novel techniques for DEM analysis. John believes that the role of the academic researcher is to provide solutions to problems encountered by practitioner. Therefore, open-source geographical information system (GIS) software development has long been a component of his research program, serving as the means by which he disseminates advances in the field. Over the past 20 years, Prof. Lindsay has developed several open-source GIS, including the Terrain Analysis System (TAS), Whitebox Geospatial Analysis Tools (Whitebox GAT), and WhiteboxTools.

Abstract: In this talk, Prof. John Lindsay explores the use of WhiteboxTools for geomorphometric applications. WhiteboxTools is an open-source geospatial analysis platform that serves as an analytical back-end for GIS and remote sensing software, including QGIS and ArcGIS. With nearly 250 tools for LiDAR data processing, geomorphometric analysis, spatial hydrology, and stream network analysis, WhiteboxTools is well suited for use by geomorphometry practitioners. John will describe the history of the Whitebox project and explore some of the functionality of this platform for LiDAR data processing, DEM pre-processing, and multi-scale topographic analysis.

Dear geomorphometry community,

We are pleased to invite submissions for a cover design contest for the second edition of the Geomorphometry book, to be published in 2026.

The submissions will be gathered in a poll, and the entire community will be able to vote for their favorite design.

If your design is selected, you will receive the appropriate credits, but would need to provide the necessary permissions to use the image.

You can submit your design by email before October 17th. Please ensure that the image is of at least 300 dpi resolution.

Get designing!

The editors,
Hannes Reuter
Carlos Grohmann
Vincent Lecours

Recent Research Progress in Geomorphometry in China

Dr. Li-Yang Xiong
Nanjing Normal University, China

October 1st , 2025
8:00 MDT (UTC -6), 10:00 EDT (UTC -4), 11:00 BRT (UTC - 3), 15:00 BST (UTC +1), 16:00 CEST (UTC +2), 17:00 EEST (UTC +3), 22:00 CST (UTC +8)

Recording available in our YouTube channel

Bio: Dr. Li-Yang Xiong is a professor at the School of Geographical Science, Nanjing Normal University (NNU), China. He is currently responsible for managing NNU’s research in Digital Terrain Model and Digital Terrain Analysis. His main research interests include AI based terrain modelling, loess terrain feature characterization, landform evolution modeling, paleotopography reconstruction and geomorphological process mining. His recent work involves deep learning-based DEM reconstruction, geomorphology-oriented digital terrain analysis, and value-added digital terrain applications for geoscience. He also serves as Associate Editor for the journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms and as an Editorial Board Member for International Journal of Geographical Information Science.

Abstract: In this talk, I will present some recent research achievements related to terrain modelling theory, terrain analysis method and terrain application in China. This terrain modeling theory focused on how we understand terrain knowledge and integrate it into AI methods for terrain reconstruction. In term of the terrain analysis method, the mathematical vector operation we believe should be highlighted in the research of Geomorphometry, which is suitable for multi-source data structure by considering the directional property of terrain parameters. Actually, this directional property should be made a full consideration for process- oriented geographical modeling and simulation. Lastly, I will show some terrain applications towards different typical geographical areas in China as well as global scale application.

Dear colleagues,

I’m grateful if you can circulate information on this PhD opportunity in Italy. The potential candidates can contact me (strevisani@iuav.it) for further information. Here the main elements of the position:

Research topics: Predicting and supporting benthic and pelagic biodiversity through geomorphometry and machine learning

Link to the call (Italian and English): https://www.unipa.it/didattica/dottorati/dottorato-xli/bando-di-accesso-ciclo-41/

Position code [BIODIV.OGS]

Research headquarters OGS Trieste and University of Palermo

Funded by OGS - Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale

Key dates: Deadline: 7th August 2025 - 14:59 (Italian time)