Selection of a suitable digital elevation model for diverse terrain nature: integrating different elevation data sources

Abstract

Accurate representation of Earth's diverse terrains is fundamental for geospatial applications, from urban planning to environmental modeling. This research explores the challenge of selecting an appropriate Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for diverse terrain types, focusing on the vertical accuracy in different topographical settings. The study uses various elevation data sources, including the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER), high-precision Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), data from Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and fine-grained 1:10000 digital vector data. The research aims to identify the suitability of DEMs for diverse topographical natures, revealing the complex interplay between terrain diversity and DEM accuracy. The findings show that the 1:10000 digital vector data layer is the best DEM for three distinct terrain types: highly hilly, moderately hilly, and flat. ASTER, 1:10000 digital vector data, and SRTM provide roughly identical DEM accuracy for flat terrain. The study emphasizes the need for a tailored approach in selecting DEMs to represent Earth's diverse terrains accurately.