Toward a Method of Constructing Tidal Flat Digital Elevation Models with MODIS and Medium-Resolution Satellite Images

Liu, Y.; Li, M.; Mao, L.; Cheng, L., and Li, F., 2013. Toward a method of constructing tidal flat digital elevation models with MODIS and medium-resolution satellite images. The terrain of tidal flats often varies remarkably over space and time, but few existing methods are capable of producing fine...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of coastal research 2013-03, Vol.29 (2), p.438-448
Main Authors: Liu, Yongxue, Li, Manchun, Mao, Liang, Cheng, Liang, Li, Feixue
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Accuracy
Artificial satellites
Coastal
Coastal zone management
Coasts
Construction
Digital Elevation Models
Elevation
Environmental management
Environmental protection
Image filters
Image resolution
LIDAR
Methods
MODIS
Remote sensing
RESEARCH PAPERS
Satellites
Temporal resolution
the Dongsha sandbank
Tidal flats
Water filtration
Water levels
waterlines
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Summary:Liu, Y.; Li, M.; Mao, L.; Cheng, L., and Li, F., 2013. Toward a method of constructing tidal flat digital elevation models with MODIS and medium-resolution satellite images. The terrain of tidal flats often varies remarkably over space and time, but few existing methods are capable of producing fine–spatiotemporal resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) for tidal flats. This research aims to fill the knowledge gap and propose a 6-step method to construct tidal flat DEMs by incorporating both moderate-resolution imaging spectroradiometer and medium-resolution satellite images. The six steps include: waterline extraction, water level simulation, height assignment, median filtering, waterline point fusion, and interpolation to DEMs. A case study was conducted at the Dongsha sandbank—one of the largest sandbanks among the radial tidal sand ridges of Jiangsu Province, China. The resultant DEMs were compared with the light detection and ranging–based DEMs for vertical accuracy assessment. The results show that the proposed method successfully shortens the temporal resolution of DEMs to 3 months, while retaining high spatial resolution and vertical accuracy. An additional analysis of seasonal sediment change for tidal flats based on the proposed method shows that the sediment deposition in the Dongsha sandbank apparently has a semiannual cycle—the tidal flats are deposited in winter and eroded in summer. All of these findings are valuable references for researchers and local authorities to conduct research on the evolution of tidal flats and to boost environmental management, coastal protection, and economic exploitation.
ISSN:0749-0208
1551-5036
DOI:10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-12-00088.1