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A landform classification method with GIS for landscape visual analysis purposes

Tsouchlaraki Androniki

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Summary

The relief forms are essentially innumerous and their classification has been a multidisciplinary field of study. This paper develops a landform classification method, in order to meet visual analysis needs. The main feature of this classification is that it tries to predict perspective observation conditions and constitutes a modification of Hammond’s method. Considering that we have a digital terrain model in the method proposed, the three parameters of Hammond’s method are adopted (flat slope percentage, hypsometric difference, flat slope percentage in the upper or lower half of the hypsometric difference range) while one more parameter is added regarding the observation post. The four parameters are applied to movable windows of specific dimensions and of specific movement increment on the digital terrain model. GIS tools are used for this work. The study area of this paper is about the Lefka Ori mountain range of the island of Crete. From the results of the classification 33 relief categories are derived. In order to examine the degree to which these classification results meet landscape visual analysis purposes, certain positions were sampled, from which perspective digital imaging representations of the relief were created, with the use of a special algorithm. The results show that the proposed classification is considered successful, since it fulfils to a great extent the description of the visual impression of an observer for a specified relief form. A further examination may lead to the determination of all morphological combinations that can probably appear. Keywords: landform classification, quantitative parameters selection, landscape visual analysis, geographical information systems.

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