The production of digital elevation models for experimental model landscapes

Automated digital photogrammetry was used to produce digital elevation mode ls of experimental model landscapes under controlled laboratory conditions as part of a series of rainfall erosion experiments looking at the evolutio n of landforms in response to erosion. The method allowed the elevations of the experimental landscapes to be studied in great detail on a regular gri d digital terrain map with relatively very little effort. Digital photogram metry produced elevation data at a resolution of 6 mm with a standard devia tion of 2.0 mm over an experimental catchment relief of approximately 200 m m; this resolution is considerably better than that achievable by conventio nal manual photogrammetry. The density of grid points was sufficiently high that small-scale details such as knickpoints developing in channels were r epresented. The method can facilitate the study of both experimental and na tural landscapes in great detail. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd .