Contribution to gully research from experimental use of terrestrial laser scanner and uav

Abstract

Geomorphological applied research involves data collection and analysis, as part of planning, management, and decision-making, on occupation, production, recreation and conservation. Erosion studies with the use of geotechnologies have been growing, therefore, it is necessary to know its contribution capacity. This article aims at presenting methodological and analytical potentials that Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) have, combined with UAV's aerial images, to monitor and assess gully erosion. These techniques were employed as an experiment, bringing possible methodological relations to debate. In this research work, each equipment characteristics revealed diff erent results, quantitative ones, through TLS, and qualitative ones, through UAV. It is notable their complementarity, contributing with rill and gully erosion studies. Aerial images from UAV allowed checking preferential paths and the variation of eroded material accumulation, also serving to TLS data processing. From its point cloud were calculated gully area as 2240.32 m , or 0.22ha, and soil eroded volume of 20.34 m . Through data and calculations erosion rate of 8.65 t ha-1 year were estimated, for a minimum period of erosive activity of 17 years. Using these geotechnologies remains a challenge to Geomorphology, especially for gully erosion. Their assignment is to increase the comprehension on the processes and scale variations, leading to the development of new researches, with greater detail and precision, looking for more effi cient control actions.