Multi-scale digital terrain modelling and analysis

Abstract

Scale is one of the most important but unsolved issues in various scientific disciplines. This chapter tackles systematically the issues related to scale in terrain modelling and analysis. It starts with some discussions on the notions of scale and multi-scale. Then three approaches for the multi-scale representation of terrain surface are presented, i.e. critical-points-based, smoothing-based, and scale-driven. Principles are explained and algorithms presented. Two issues of multi-scale terrain analysis are discussed, i.e. the modelling of multi-scale effects, and the optimization of scale. Examples are given to illustrate the concepts and principles discussed. Finally, some concluding remarks are made.