Photogrammetric high resolution methods for nested parametrisation and validation of a physical-based soil erosion model

• Applicants: Professorin Dr. Anette Eltner; Professor Dr. Roland Zech, since 12/2020
• Subject Area: Physical Geography
• Term: from 2019 to 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 405774238

The main objective of the project is the simulation of soil erosion by means of photogrammetric measurements and optimisation techniques as well as physically-based erosion modelling approaches on different scales. Common process based soil erosion modelling approaches are only valid on the scale at which parameters are identified. Due to the complexity, variability and discontinuity of erosion processes a transferability to other temporal and spatial scales is limited. Hence, observed phenomena (rill erosion or concentrated flow in tram lines) are not or only rudimentary covered even by complex model approaches. Photogrammetric measurements (e.g. referenced thermal images and 3D surface reconstruction methods) allow the observation of surface runoff and the altering of the soil surface across different process scales with a consistent procedure. Soil losses resulting from erosion processes can be validated using photogrammetric data. Physically based erosion models can not only be validated but also parameterised by means of stochastic approaches due to the great information density of 3D-models with high spatial and temporal resolution. Additionally, photogrammetric observations (RGB and thermal) allow for highly resolved process discrimination (splash-, sheet- and rill erosion, particle transport and deposition). Thus, an implementation of adapted model approaches for the simulation of scale-dependent processes (e.g. separate consideration of sheet and rill flow) is possible and enables a fundamentally new observation of the inter-connectivity of sediment transport as well as the relation between event frequency and event magnitude.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: United Kingdom
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Antonio Abellan; Dr. David Favis-Mortlock
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Andreas Kaiser, until 12/2020