Subsampling large-scale digital elevation models to expedite geospatial analyses in coastal regions

Journal of Coastal Research
By: , and 

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Abstract

Large-area, high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) created from light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or multibeam echosounder data sets are commonly used in many scientific disciplines. These DEMs can span thousands of square kilometers, typically with a spatial resolution of 1 m or finer, and can be difficult to process and analyze without specialized computers and software. Such DEMs often can be subsampled to expedite analysis with negligible impact on results for large-scale geospatial analyses. Subsampling can be achieved by creating a grid of points that specify the locations from which to extract elevation values from the DEM. This paper presents a method that can be used to accurately perform subsampling of large-scale, high-resolution DEMs using GIS software. This subsampling method was applied to two LIDAR-derived DEMs encompassing 242 km2 of the northern Florida Reef Tract as an example application and to test subsampling accuracy. Results indicate that subsampling 1-m-resolution DEMs using a 2-m-spaced grid results in no significant difference in mean elevation or other basic statistics for analyses performed over multiple spatial scales ranging from 1 km2 to 242 km2.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Subsampling large-scale digital elevation models to expedite geospatial analyses in coastal regions
Series title Journal of Coastal Research
DOI 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-22-00015.1
Volume 38
Issue 6
Year Published 2022
Language English
Publisher BioOne
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 10 p.
First page 1236
Last page 1245
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