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Linear aspects of morphometric analysis generated from QSWAT: with special reference to accuracy of various DEMs with conventional and computation techniques

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Abstract

The German TanDEM-X mission’s primary goal is to create a highly accurate and global digital elevation model (DEM) with global accuracies of at least 10 m absolute height error (linear 90% error). This paper provides one-of-a-kind accuracy assessment of the TanDEM-X global DEM. The assessment of the TanDEM-X DEMs over Nallamala Area, Andhra Pradesh is presented through a comparison with SRTM and TanDEM-X DEMs. TanDEM-X has a finer effective spatial (i.e., horizontal) resolution than SRTM, according to analysis, visualization, and elevation scatterplots. As a first step, digital elevation models are compared to the conventional method of GCP (ground control point) elevation. Then, any two DEMs are compared using a computational method such as R programing, which is a statistical technique that selects point locations with equal distance. TanDEM-X lower elevations indicate that the radar signal penetrates deeper. DEMs with differences allowed the identification of issues related to the production methods of the DEMs. A systematic difference in elevations between TanDEM-X 12 and 30 m, and SRTM was observed. The results show a high level of detail and consistency for TanDEM-X data, indicate that the effective horizontal resolution of SRTM is coarser than the nominal 12 and 30 m. These DEMs are then delineated in QSWAT model for stream network generation. QSWAT is a tool used for the validation of digital elevation models (DEMs) in hydrological modeling. It allows for the comparison of the topographic features of the DEM with field survey data to identify discrepancies and improve model accuracy.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank DLR Germany for providing TanDEMx for research work (Project no. DEM HYDR1630). Also, thanks to anonymous reviewers for their critical reviews and constructive comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environment, Institute of Science & Technology (IST), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

    Nagaveni Chokkavarapu & Vamshi Krishna Reddy Alugari

  2. Centre for Information and Communication Technology (CICT), National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, An Autonomous Organization of Ministry of Rural Development Government of India, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, 500030, India

    Venkata Ravibabu Mandla

  3. Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology (NIT), Warangal, Telangana, TS, 506004, India

    Veerendra Satya Sylesh Peddinti

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  1. Nagaveni Chokkavarapu
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Correspondence to Venkata Ravibabu Mandla.

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Chokkavarapu, N., Mandla, V.R., Peddinti, V.S.S. et al. Linear aspects of morphometric analysis generated from QSWAT: with special reference to accuracy of various DEMs with conventional and computation techniques. Arab J Geosci 16, 582 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-023-11700-x

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