Classifying physiographic regimes on terrain and hydrologic factors for adaptive generalization of stream networks

International Journal of Cartography
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

Automated generalization software must accommodate multi-scale representations of hydrographic networks across a variety of geographic landscapes, because scale-related hydrography differences are known to vary in different physical conditions. While generalization algorithms have been tailored to specific regions and landscape conditions by several researchers in recent years, the selection and characterization of regional conditions have not been formally defined nor statistically validated. This paper undertakes a systematic classification of landscape types in the conterminous United States to spatially subset the country into workable units, in preparation for systematic tailoring of generalization workflows that preserve hydrographic characteristics. The classification is based upon elevation, standard deviation of elevation, slope, runoff, drainage and bedrock density, soil and bedrock permeability, area of inland surface water, infiltration-excess of overland flow, and a base flow index. A seven class solution shows low misclassification rates except in areas of high landscape diversity such as the Appalachians, Rocky Mountains, and Western coastal regions.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Classifying physiographic regimes on terrain and hydrologic factors for adaptive generalization of stream networks
Series title International Journal of Cartography
DOI 10.1080/23729333.2018.1443759
Volume 1
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Contributing office(s) Center for Geospatial Information Science (CEGIS)
Description 18 p.
First page 4
Last page 21
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details