Geomorphometry
Concepts, Software, Applications
- 2nd Edition, Volume 37 - September 1, 2026
- Latest edition
- Editors: Hannes I. Reuter, Carlos Henrique Grohmann, Vincent Lecours
- Language: English
Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications, Second Edition aims to inform, educate, and assist users in the field by expanding the reach of the Geomorphometry commun… Read more
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Description
Description
Geomorphometry: Concepts, Software, Applications, Second Edition aims to inform, educate, and assist users in the field by expanding the reach of the Geomorphometry community's knowledge. Geomorphometry, the science of quantitative land-surface analysis, evolved from geomorphology and quantitative terrain analysis, rooted in 19th-century geometry and physical geography. The modern discipline addresses the processing of elevation data, topography visualization, and numerous numerical analyses. Focusing on continuous land-surface and discrete features like watersheds, geomorphometry's operational goal is the extraction of measures and spatial features from digital topography.
Since the book's first edition in 2009, there have been significant advancements in data production methods, the data itself, and software applications. The editors have proposed a second edition, maintaining the original structure while incorporating these improvements. The book also covers the refinement and analysis of digital elevation models (DEMs), the use of GIS tools, and the application of geomorphometric techniques in various fields such as hydrology, ecology, and urban planning.
Since the book's first edition in 2009, there have been significant advancements in data production methods, the data itself, and software applications. The editors have proposed a second edition, maintaining the original structure while incorporating these improvements. The book also covers the refinement and analysis of digital elevation models (DEMs), the use of GIS tools, and the application of geomorphometric techniques in various fields such as hydrology, ecology, and urban planning.
Key features
Key features
- Provides a unique consolidation of theoretical background, software applications, and applications in the field
- Presents researchers with the unique opportunity to gain a complete overview within a single book not limited to a single software or single perspective
- Shows content that is written in close collaboration with members of the International Society of Geomorphometry
Readership
Readership
Soil scientists
Table of contents
Table of contents
PART 1 – Concepts
CHAPTER 1 – Geomorphometry 2.0: A Brief Guide
1.1 What is Geomorphometry?
1.2 The Basic Principles of Geomorphometry
1.3 The History of Geomorphometry
1.4 Geomorphometry Today
1.5 Summary Points
1.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 2 – Conceptual, Mathematical & Digital Models of the Land Surface
2.1 Conceptual models of the land surface
2.2 Mathematical models of the land surface
2.3 Digital Models of the Land Surface
2.4 Summary Points
2.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 3 – DEM Production Methods
3.1 Height sampling and generation of DEMs
3.2 DEM data sources
3.3 Photogrammetric land-surface models
3.4 Lidar
3.5 Across-track SAR Interferometry for DEM Generation
3.6 Satellite-derived bathymetry
3.7 Acoustic remote sensing
3.8 Summary points
3.9 Important Sources
CHAPTER 4 – DEM Sources: From Local to Global
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Global Elevation Datasets
4.3 Continent or Country-wide Elevation Datasets
4.4 Bathymetric datasets
4.5 Planetary Bodies Datasets
4.6 Elevation Data Access Portals
4.7 Evaluating and Comparing DEMs
4.8 Summary Points
4.9 Important Sources
CHAPTER 5 – Preparation of DEMs for Geomorphometric Analysis
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Reducing Errors in DEMs
5.3 Reduction of errors in parameters and objects
5.4 Summary Points
5.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 6 – Basic Land-Surface Parameters
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Focal Operations on the DEM
6.3 Regional LSPs (Zonal Operations)
6.4 Graphical and Statistical Manipulation of LSPs
6.5 Land Surface Parameter Software
6.6 Summary Points
6.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 7 – Land-Surface Parameters and Objects in Hydrology
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Flow lines, flow direction, and contributing area
7.3 Preparing DEMs for hydrological analysis
7.4 Flow algorithms
7.5 Flow-accumulation algorithms
7.6 Land-surface parameters based on catchment areas and flow lines
7.7 Land-surface objects based on flow variables
7.8 Summary Points
7.9 Important Sources
CHAPTER 8 – Land-Surface Parameters in Climatology and Meteorology
8.1 Land Surface and Climate
8.2 Topography and Radiation
8.3 Topography, Air Temperature and Humidity
8.4 Topography and Wind
8.5 Topography, Precipitation and Snow Cover
8.6 Topography in statistical and numerical Climate Modeling
8.7 Summary Points
8.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 9 – Landform: A Key Concept of Geomorphology and Geomorphometry
9.1 Introduction
9.2 How to define landform?
9.3 Building blocks of Earth’s surface
9.4 Geomorphometric classification of landform elements
9.5 Geomorphometric signature and classification of landform types and higher units
9.6 The issues of resolution and size of the analysis window
9.7 Summary points
9.8 Important Sources
PART 2 – Software
CHAPTER 10 – Overview of Software Packages Used in Geomorphometry
10.1 Introduction
10.2 The Software Landscape
10.3 Approaches to Using Software
10.4 Other Packages for Geomorphometry
10.5 The Future of Geomorphometry Software
10.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 11 – Geomorphometry in ArcGIS
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Getting started with ArcGIS
11.3 Geomorphometry in ArcGIS
11.4 Scripting in ArcGIS
11.5 Data import/export and conversion capabilities
11.6 Additional ArcGIS capabilities
11.7 Summary Points
11.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 12 – Geomorphometry in GRASS
12.1 Getting started with GRASS
12.2 Geomorphometry in GRASS
12.3 Scripting in GRASS
12.4 Other functions and utilities
12.5 Limitations and future direction of GRASS
12.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 13 – Geomorphometry in MICRODEM
13.1 Getting started with MICRODEM
13.2 Scripting in MICRODEM
13.3 Other functions and utilities
13.4 Future directions
13.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 14 – Geomorphometry in QGIS/PCRaster
14.1 Getting started
14.2 Geomorphometry with the PCRaster Tools plugin in QGIS
14.3 Scripting in PCRaster
14.4 Other functions and utilities
14.5 Limitations and future directions
14.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 15 – Geomorphometry in SAGA
15.1 Getting Started
15.2 DEM production and preparation
15.3 Land surface parameters
15.4 Scripting in SAGA
15.5 Summary Points
15.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 16 – Geomorphometry in TopoToolbox
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Geomorphometric analysis in TopoToolbox
16.3 Summary and future directions
16.4 Important Sources
CHAPTER 17 – Geomorphometry in Whitebox
17.1 Getting Started with Whitebox
17.2 Geomorphometry in Whitebox
17.3 Scripting in Whitebox
17.4 Other functions and utilities
17.5 Limitations and future directions
17.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 18 – Geomorphometry in RiverTools
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Acquiring a DEM
18.3 Extracting Information from a DEM
18.4 Submitting and Monitoring Longer-Running Tasks
18.5 Visualization Tools for DEMs
18.6 The Analyze Menu
18.7 Summary Points
18.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 19 – Geomorphometry Using Open-Source Programming Languages
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Setup
19.3 R
19.4 Python
19.5 Julia
19.6 Summary Points
19.7 Important Sources
PART 3 – Applications
CHAPTER 20 – Geomorphometry: A Key to Surface Mapping and Modelling
20.1 Introduction
20.2 A landscape of applications
20.3 Approaches, data, and software
20.4 Summary Points
20.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 21 – Soil Mapping Applications
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Soil Mapping
21.3 Geomorphometry in Soil Mapping
21.4 Case Studies
21.5 Summary Points
21.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 22 – Applications in Geomorphology
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Specific Geomorphometry: generalisations
22.3 Volcanic Geomorphometry
22.4 Karst Geomorphometry
22.5 Aeolian Geomorphometry
22.6 Glacial Geomorphometry
22.7 Fluvial and Tectonic Geomorphometry
22.8 Physical Geomorphometry in Digital Geomorphological Mapping
22.9 Summary Points
22.10 Important Sources
CHAPTER 23 – Modeling Mass Movements and Landslide Susceptibility
23.1 Introduction
23.2 State of the art
23.3 Landslide inventories and conditioning factors
23.4 Landslide susceptibility modeling
23.5 Landslide runout modeling
23.6 Summary Points
23.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 24 – Landform Element Recognition through Machine Learning and Computer Vision
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Supervised learning for geomorphometry
24.3 Unsupervised learning for geomorphometry
24.4 Strengths, limitations, opportunities
24.5 Case studies
24.6 Summary Points
24.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 25 – Ecological Applications of Geomorphometry
25.1 Introduction
25.2 Ecological classifications
25.3 Distribution modelling
25.4 Case study
25.5 Summary points
25.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 26 – Geomorphometry in Spatial Hydrological Modeling
26.1 Introduction
26.2 Spatial Hydrological Modeling: Basic description
26.3 Application requirements and method advances
26.4 Geomorphometric tools
26.5 Case study
26.6 Summary points
26.7 Summary Points
26.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 27 – Geomorphometry for Archaeology
27.1 Introduction
27.2 Basic archaeological geomorphometry
27.3 Proximity analysis, movement, and territories
27.4 Modeling experiential elements of past landscapes
27.5 Predictive modeling in archaeology
27.6 Modeling anthropogenic landscapes
27.7 Summary points
27.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 28 – Geomorphometry in a Time of Climate Change
28.1 Introduction
28.2 Climate Change Applications in Coastal Environments
28.3 Climate Change Applications in Hydrology
28.4 Case Study
28.5 Conclusion
28.6 Summary Points
28.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 29 – Underwater Geomorphometry
29.1 Introduction
29.2 Mathematical and digital models
29.3 Seafloor-surface variables
29.4 Submarine landforms
29.5 Geomorphometry for underwater geomorphology
29.6 Underwater geomorphometry with machine learning
29.7 Sediment transport modelling
29.8 Substrate mapping
29.9 Submarine landslides
29.10 Marine ecology
29.11 Underwater archaeology
29.12 Climate change – underwater effects
29.13 Case study
29.14 Future of marine geomorphometry
29.15 Summary points
29.16 Important sources
29.17 Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 30 – Extraterrestrial Geomorphometry
30.1 Introduction
30.2 Morphometric variables and data
30.3 Observations
30.4 Summary points
30.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 31 – The Future of Geomorphometry
31.1 Looking into the crystal globe
31.2 Geomorphometric Tools
31.3 Applications to Come
31.4 Reflection on the Future
31.5 Summary Points
31.6 Important Sources
PART 4 – References
CHAPTER 32 – Full list of references
CHAPTER 1 – Geomorphometry 2.0: A Brief Guide
1.1 What is Geomorphometry?
1.2 The Basic Principles of Geomorphometry
1.3 The History of Geomorphometry
1.4 Geomorphometry Today
1.5 Summary Points
1.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 2 – Conceptual, Mathematical & Digital Models of the Land Surface
2.1 Conceptual models of the land surface
2.2 Mathematical models of the land surface
2.3 Digital Models of the Land Surface
2.4 Summary Points
2.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 3 – DEM Production Methods
3.1 Height sampling and generation of DEMs
3.2 DEM data sources
3.3 Photogrammetric land-surface models
3.4 Lidar
3.5 Across-track SAR Interferometry for DEM Generation
3.6 Satellite-derived bathymetry
3.7 Acoustic remote sensing
3.8 Summary points
3.9 Important Sources
CHAPTER 4 – DEM Sources: From Local to Global
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Global Elevation Datasets
4.3 Continent or Country-wide Elevation Datasets
4.4 Bathymetric datasets
4.5 Planetary Bodies Datasets
4.6 Elevation Data Access Portals
4.7 Evaluating and Comparing DEMs
4.8 Summary Points
4.9 Important Sources
CHAPTER 5 – Preparation of DEMs for Geomorphometric Analysis
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Reducing Errors in DEMs
5.3 Reduction of errors in parameters and objects
5.4 Summary Points
5.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 6 – Basic Land-Surface Parameters
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Focal Operations on the DEM
6.3 Regional LSPs (Zonal Operations)
6.4 Graphical and Statistical Manipulation of LSPs
6.5 Land Surface Parameter Software
6.6 Summary Points
6.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 7 – Land-Surface Parameters and Objects in Hydrology
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Flow lines, flow direction, and contributing area
7.3 Preparing DEMs for hydrological analysis
7.4 Flow algorithms
7.5 Flow-accumulation algorithms
7.6 Land-surface parameters based on catchment areas and flow lines
7.7 Land-surface objects based on flow variables
7.8 Summary Points
7.9 Important Sources
CHAPTER 8 – Land-Surface Parameters in Climatology and Meteorology
8.1 Land Surface and Climate
8.2 Topography and Radiation
8.3 Topography, Air Temperature and Humidity
8.4 Topography and Wind
8.5 Topography, Precipitation and Snow Cover
8.6 Topography in statistical and numerical Climate Modeling
8.7 Summary Points
8.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 9 – Landform: A Key Concept of Geomorphology and Geomorphometry
9.1 Introduction
9.2 How to define landform?
9.3 Building blocks of Earth’s surface
9.4 Geomorphometric classification of landform elements
9.5 Geomorphometric signature and classification of landform types and higher units
9.6 The issues of resolution and size of the analysis window
9.7 Summary points
9.8 Important Sources
PART 2 – Software
CHAPTER 10 – Overview of Software Packages Used in Geomorphometry
10.1 Introduction
10.2 The Software Landscape
10.3 Approaches to Using Software
10.4 Other Packages for Geomorphometry
10.5 The Future of Geomorphometry Software
10.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 11 – Geomorphometry in ArcGIS
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Getting started with ArcGIS
11.3 Geomorphometry in ArcGIS
11.4 Scripting in ArcGIS
11.5 Data import/export and conversion capabilities
11.6 Additional ArcGIS capabilities
11.7 Summary Points
11.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 12 – Geomorphometry in GRASS
12.1 Getting started with GRASS
12.2 Geomorphometry in GRASS
12.3 Scripting in GRASS
12.4 Other functions and utilities
12.5 Limitations and future direction of GRASS
12.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 13 – Geomorphometry in MICRODEM
13.1 Getting started with MICRODEM
13.2 Scripting in MICRODEM
13.3 Other functions and utilities
13.4 Future directions
13.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 14 – Geomorphometry in QGIS/PCRaster
14.1 Getting started
14.2 Geomorphometry with the PCRaster Tools plugin in QGIS
14.3 Scripting in PCRaster
14.4 Other functions and utilities
14.5 Limitations and future directions
14.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 15 – Geomorphometry in SAGA
15.1 Getting Started
15.2 DEM production and preparation
15.3 Land surface parameters
15.4 Scripting in SAGA
15.5 Summary Points
15.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 16 – Geomorphometry in TopoToolbox
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Geomorphometric analysis in TopoToolbox
16.3 Summary and future directions
16.4 Important Sources
CHAPTER 17 – Geomorphometry in Whitebox
17.1 Getting Started with Whitebox
17.2 Geomorphometry in Whitebox
17.3 Scripting in Whitebox
17.4 Other functions and utilities
17.5 Limitations and future directions
17.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 18 – Geomorphometry in RiverTools
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Acquiring a DEM
18.3 Extracting Information from a DEM
18.4 Submitting and Monitoring Longer-Running Tasks
18.5 Visualization Tools for DEMs
18.6 The Analyze Menu
18.7 Summary Points
18.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 19 – Geomorphometry Using Open-Source Programming Languages
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Setup
19.3 R
19.4 Python
19.5 Julia
19.6 Summary Points
19.7 Important Sources
PART 3 – Applications
CHAPTER 20 – Geomorphometry: A Key to Surface Mapping and Modelling
20.1 Introduction
20.2 A landscape of applications
20.3 Approaches, data, and software
20.4 Summary Points
20.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 21 – Soil Mapping Applications
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Soil Mapping
21.3 Geomorphometry in Soil Mapping
21.4 Case Studies
21.5 Summary Points
21.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 22 – Applications in Geomorphology
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Specific Geomorphometry: generalisations
22.3 Volcanic Geomorphometry
22.4 Karst Geomorphometry
22.5 Aeolian Geomorphometry
22.6 Glacial Geomorphometry
22.7 Fluvial and Tectonic Geomorphometry
22.8 Physical Geomorphometry in Digital Geomorphological Mapping
22.9 Summary Points
22.10 Important Sources
CHAPTER 23 – Modeling Mass Movements and Landslide Susceptibility
23.1 Introduction
23.2 State of the art
23.3 Landslide inventories and conditioning factors
23.4 Landslide susceptibility modeling
23.5 Landslide runout modeling
23.6 Summary Points
23.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 24 – Landform Element Recognition through Machine Learning and Computer Vision
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Supervised learning for geomorphometry
24.3 Unsupervised learning for geomorphometry
24.4 Strengths, limitations, opportunities
24.5 Case studies
24.6 Summary Points
24.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 25 – Ecological Applications of Geomorphometry
25.1 Introduction
25.2 Ecological classifications
25.3 Distribution modelling
25.4 Case study
25.5 Summary points
25.6 Important Sources
CHAPTER 26 – Geomorphometry in Spatial Hydrological Modeling
26.1 Introduction
26.2 Spatial Hydrological Modeling: Basic description
26.3 Application requirements and method advances
26.4 Geomorphometric tools
26.5 Case study
26.6 Summary points
26.7 Summary Points
26.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 27 – Geomorphometry for Archaeology
27.1 Introduction
27.2 Basic archaeological geomorphometry
27.3 Proximity analysis, movement, and territories
27.4 Modeling experiential elements of past landscapes
27.5 Predictive modeling in archaeology
27.6 Modeling anthropogenic landscapes
27.7 Summary points
27.8 Important Sources
CHAPTER 28 – Geomorphometry in a Time of Climate Change
28.1 Introduction
28.2 Climate Change Applications in Coastal Environments
28.3 Climate Change Applications in Hydrology
28.4 Case Study
28.5 Conclusion
28.6 Summary Points
28.7 Important Sources
CHAPTER 29 – Underwater Geomorphometry
29.1 Introduction
29.2 Mathematical and digital models
29.3 Seafloor-surface variables
29.4 Submarine landforms
29.5 Geomorphometry for underwater geomorphology
29.6 Underwater geomorphometry with machine learning
29.7 Sediment transport modelling
29.8 Substrate mapping
29.9 Submarine landslides
29.10 Marine ecology
29.11 Underwater archaeology
29.12 Climate change – underwater effects
29.13 Case study
29.14 Future of marine geomorphometry
29.15 Summary points
29.16 Important sources
29.17 Acknowledgements
CHAPTER 30 – Extraterrestrial Geomorphometry
30.1 Introduction
30.2 Morphometric variables and data
30.3 Observations
30.4 Summary points
30.5 Important Sources
CHAPTER 31 – The Future of Geomorphometry
31.1 Looking into the crystal globe
31.2 Geomorphometric Tools
31.3 Applications to Come
31.4 Reflection on the Future
31.5 Summary Points
31.6 Important Sources
PART 4 – References
CHAPTER 32 – Full list of references
Product details
Product details
- Edition: 2
- Latest edition
- Volume: 37
- Published: September 1, 2026
- Language: English
About the editors
About the editors
HR
Hannes I. Reuter
Statistical Officer working in the GISCO Team of Eurostat in Luxembourg. Before I used to work at ISRIC World Soil Information (NL) as a Senior Researcher were I did develop different portals/data structures for soil data (soil profiles, environmental covariates, metadata) all in support for their ICSU -World Data Center for Soils functionality.
Affiliations and expertise
European Commission, Directorate General JRC Institute for Environment and Sustainability, ItalyCG
Carlos Henrique Grohmann
Carlos Henrique Grohmann works in the University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Affiliations and expertise
University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil