Geomorphic process signatures reshaping sub‐humid Mediterranean badlands: 1. Methodological development based on high‐resolution topography. Issue 5 (18th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Llena, Manel; Vericat, Damià; Smith, Mark W.; Wheaton, Joseph M.
• Is Part Of: Earth surface processes and landforms. Volume 45:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1335
• Page End: 1346
• Publication Date: 2020-02-18
• Subjects: geomorphic process signatures -- badlands -- structure‐from‐motion -- topographic changes -- Mapping Geomorphic Processes in the Environment (MaGPiE) algorithm; Geomorphology -- Periodicals; 551.4
• DOI: 10.1002/esp.4821
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0197-9337

Abstract

Abstract: High‐resolution topography data sets have improved the spatial and temporal scales at which we are able to investigate the landscape through the analysis of landform attributes and the computation of topographic changes. Yet, to date, there have been only limited attempts to infer key geomorphic processes in terms of contributions to shaping the landscape. Highly erodible landscapes such as badlands provide an ideal demonstration of such an approach owing to the rapid changes observed over a relatively short time frame. In this technical note we present the Mapping Geomorphic Processes in the Environment (MaGPiE): a new algorithm that allows mapping of geomorphic process signatures through analysis of repeat high‐resolution topography data sets. The method is demonstrated in an experimental badland located in the southern central Pyrenees. MaGPiE is a geographic information system (GIS)‐based algorithm that uses as input: (a) terrain attributes (i.e. Slope, Roughness and Concentrated Runoff Index) extracted from digital elevation models (DEMs), and (b) a map of topographic changes (DEM of difference, DoD). Initial results demonstrate that MaGPiE allows the magnitude and the spatial distribution of the main geomorphic processes reshaping badlands to be inferred for the first time. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Abstract : This article presents a new algorithm (MaGPiE) to map geomorphic processes signatures through the analyses of repeat high‐resolution topography data sets. MaGPiE is a geographic information system (GIS)‐based algorithm that requires as input landscape attributes and a map of topographic changes. MaGPiE allows inferring in the magnitude and the spatial distribution of the main geomorphic processes reshaping badlands.