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TOPO parameters

hort title: TOPO.AML

Inputs: INPUTDEM - a grid representing a continuous surface.
Outputs: a set of geomorphometric parameters.
&r topo INPUTDEM {streamflow threshold} {streamcover} (i.e. &r topo ls10 150)

Purpose and use:

It’s a compilation of grid commands to calculate some geomorphometric parameters in one go. To avoid mistyping, different approaches between different projects, time saving, etc.
More description in topomanual.pdf included in file.

Programming environment: Arc AML
Status of work: Public Domain
Reference: Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications
Data set name: Baranja hill

Attachment:

TOPO.AML_.zip

Openess

Short title: openness.lsc

Inputs: A DEM (uses the Baranja Hill DEM25m.asc as an example).
Outputs: A raster of ‘openness’ that describes how exposed a surface is at each location. The measure is an angle where values close to 0 are very sheltered and 180 is an exposed plane.

Purpose and use:

Script to calculate ‘openness’ as defined by Yokoyama, Shirasawa and Pike (2002). It is designed to demonstrate how LandScript can be used to calculate new geomorphometric parameters using map algebra. To use this script, start LandSerf 2.3 or above and then open the LandScript editor (menu: Edit->LandSctipt Editor).

Programming environment: Landserf
Status of work: Public Domain
Reference: On the uncertainty of stream networks derived from elevation data: the error propagation approach
Data set name: Baranja hill

Attachment:

openness.lsc_.zip

Landslide probabilities

Short title: landprob

Inputs: DEM in metric projection, Source Landslide areas, H/L value as stopping parameter.
Outputs: pq_limi and all other parameters as described in Gruber et al., 2008 article in the Geomorphometry book.

Purpose and use:

Computes Landslide probabilities — generate landslide probabilities areas using a DEM according to Gruber et al 2008. &r landslide1 <sourcearea\_dem> {h/l stopping value}

Programming environment: Arc AML
Status of work: Public Domain
Reference: Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications Data set name: Baranja hill

Attachment:

landslide_probabilities.zip

Flow magnitude and drainage basins

Short title:flowMag.lsc

Inputs:A DEM (the Baranja Hill 25m DEM is used as an example).
Outputs:A raster containing flow magnitude values for the DEM and a raster containing drainage basins.

Purpose and use:

Script to calculate flow magnitude and drainage basins from a DEM. It demonstrates how recursive function calls in LandScript can be used to calculate zonal geomorphometric parameters using map algebra. To use this script, start LandSerf 2.3 or above and then open the LandScript editor (menu: Edit->LandSctipt Editor).
Part of this script appears in Chapter 14 of Hengl and Reuter (2008) [the Geomorphometry book]. This script runs slowly so is better as a demonstration of how recursive function calls can be made in LandScript rather than a production quality flow magnitude calculator.

Programming environment:Landserf
Status of work:Public Domain
Reference: Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications
Data set name: Baranja hill

Attachment:

flowMag.lsc_.zip

Convert to Landserf format

Short title:importData.lsc

Inputs:Baranja Hill data (DEM25m.asc, DEM25srtm.asc, orthophoto.asc).
Outputs:LandSerf files of the input files plus a difference map of the two DEMs.

Purpose and use:

LandScript to import Baranja Hill data and convert to LandSerf format. This script is also included in Chapter 14 of Hengl and Reuter (2008) [the Geomorphometry book]

Programming environment:Landserf
Status of work:Public Domain
Reference: Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications
Data set name: Baranja hill


Attachment:

importData.lsc_.zip

Latest Posts

Cover Design Contest for the Upcoming Book on Geomorphometry

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

Coffee Talk - Recent Research Progress in Geomorphometry in China

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.

PHD position in Italy

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)