Conservation Applications of LiDAR

Terrain Analysis
Workshop Exercises

2012

TheseexercisesarepartoftheConservationApplicationsofLiDARprojectaseriesofhandsonworkshops
designedtohelpMinnesotaGISspecialistseffectivelyuseLiDARderiveddatatoaddressnaturalresourceissues.
TheprojectisfundedbyagrantfromtheEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesTrustFund,andispresentedbythe
UniversityofMinnesotaWaterResourcesCenterwithexpertiseprovidedfromtheUniversityofMinnesota,MN
DepartmentofNaturalResources,MNBoardofWaterandSoilResources,andUSDANaturalResources
ConservationService.Moreinformationisathttp://tsp.umn.edu/lidar.

Digital Terrain Analysis Workshop Exercises

Exercise1:LiDARDEMDataandTerrainAttributes..............................................................................3
A.BasicPropertiesExaminingSourceData............................................................................................3
B.DEMPreprocessing..............................................................................................................................3
ActivateSpatialAnalystExtension........................................................................................................3
PitFilling................................................................................................................................................4
Filter......................................................................................................................................................5
C.CalculatePrimaryAttributes.................................................................................................................6
Slope......................................................................................................................................................6
Aspect...................................................................................................................................................7
PlanandProfileCurvature....................................................................................................................8
Hillshade................................................................................................................................................9
FlowDirection.....................................................................................................................................10
D.CalculateSecondaryAttributes..........................................................................................................11
FlowAccumulation(RequiresoutputfromFlowDirection)...............................................................11
StreamPowerIndex(SPI)....................................................................................................................12
CompoundTopographicIndex(CTI)...................................................................................................13

Exercise2:Interpretation...................................................................................................................14
A.Visualization/ComparativeTechniques............................................................................................14
TerrainAttributeComparison.............................................................................................................14
Orthophoto/TerrainAttributeComparison........................................................................................14
Swipe...................................................................................................................................................15
SpecificColormapsforeachTerrainAttribute...................................................................................15
B.DeterminingThresholds......................................................................................................................16
ThresholdValueDisplay......................................................................................................................16
PercentileAnalysis..............................................................................................................................16
VisualizingtheResults.........................................................................................................................18

2 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Exercise 1: LiDAR DEM Data and Terrain Attributes

A. Basic Properties Examining Source Data
1.
2.
3.
4.

StartArcMap.
Addtoyourmaptherasterofourareaofinterestasanewlayer.
ClickthenameofthelayerinthemapTableofContentsandrenameit:DEM.
SelectthisDEMLayeragain,rightclick>Properties.
ClicktheSourcetabinthepropertiesforthelayertogetafulldescriptionofthelayer
includingcellsize,format,extentandspatialreference.
NowclicktheSymbologytab.Hereyoucanchangethecolorramp.
o Workshopdemonstrationcolormapandstretchtypeadjustments
CheckontheHillshadeoptiontoemphasizetheterrainfeatures.Thisdoesnotaffectthe
analysisorchangethedata,butaidsinvisualization.
Onceyouhaveexaminedalllayerproperties,clickOKtoclosethelayerproperties.

B. DEM Preprocessing
Activate Spatial Analyst Extension
1. FromtheToolsMenu,selectExtensionsandcheckontheSpatialAnalystextension.

2. ClickClose

3 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Sink Filling
1. LaunchArcToolboxbyclickingthetoolbaricon.

2. ExpandtheSpatialAnalystTools,thenexpandtheHydrologyToolset.DoubleclicktheFilltool
tostartit.
Thereareseveraladditionalwaystofindthis(orany)toolinArcToolBox:
selecttheIndextabatthebottomofArcToolboxandscrollthroughthelisttofindFill(sa).
selecttheSearchtabatthebottomandtypeinfilltofindanytoolswith'fill'intheirtitles.

3. InputSurfaceRaster:DEM(selectitfromthedropdown).
4. OutputSurfaceRaster:Browsetooutputworkspaceandname'fill_dem'.
5. Zlimit:themaximumelevationdifferencebetweenasinkanditspourpointtobefilled.
Note:Thedefaultwillfillallsinksregardlessofdepth.
6. Theoutputsurfacerasterisaddedtoyourmapasanewlayer.

4 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Filter
Attimes,LiDARdataexpressedinfineresolutionDEMscancontaineithererrorsorspuriousfeatures
whichimpedeflowanalysisand/orotherterrainanalysis.Usingamovingwindow3X3gridcan
"smooth"thedataandprovidemorecontiguousresults.
1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Neighborhood>Filter.

2. InputRaster:DEM(selectitfromthedropdownlist).
3. OutputRaster:Browsetoyouroutputworkspaceandnameit'filter_dem'.
4. Filtertype(optional):theenhancementtobeperformedinthefilteranalysis.
Note:Thedefaultis"LOW"whichisrequiredtodothesmoothingwerequire.
5. Theoutputrasterisaddedtoyourmapasanewlayer.

5 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

C. Calculate Primary Attributes

Slope
1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Surface>Slope.

2. InputRaster:DEM.
3. Browsetooutputworkspaceandnameoutputlayer"slope_dem".
4. SelectOutputMeasurement:PERCENT_RISE
Note:ItisimportantfortherestoftheanalysisthatyouselectPERCENT_RISE,eventhough
thedatawilllookthesame.
5. ClickOKtorun.
6. Theoutputrasterisaddedtothemapasanewlayer.

6 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Aspect
1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Surface>Aspect.

2.
3.
4.
5.

InputRaster:DEM.
Browsetooutputworkspaceandnametheoutputraster"aspect_dem".
ClickOKtorun.
Theoutputwillbeaddedtothemapasanewlayer.

7 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Plan and Profile Curvature

1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Surface>Curvature.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

InputRaster:DEM.
Browsetooutputworkspaceandnametheoutputcurvaturerasteras"curv_dem".
Browsetooutputworkspaceandnametheprofilecurverasteras"pro_dem".
Browsetooutputworkspaceandnametheplancurverasteras"plan_dem".
ClickOKtorun.
The3outputrastersareaddedtothemapasnewlayers.

8 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Hillshade
1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Surface>Hillshade.

2. InputRaster:DEM.
3. Browsetoyouroutputworkspaceandnametheoutputraster"hs_dem".
4. AcceptdefaultsforAzimuth,AltitudeandZfactor.
Note:YoucantrycheckingonModelShadows,itcanbehelpfulinvisualization,butinsome
casesitmaymakelittledifference.
5. ClickOKtorun.
6. Theoutputrasterisaddedtothemapasnewlayer.

9 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Flow Direction
1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Hydrology>FlowDirection.

2.
3.
4.
5.

InputRaster:DEM
Browsetoyouroutputworkspaceandnameoutputlayer"FlowDir_dem"
ClickOKtorun.
Theoutputrasterisaddedtothemapasanewlayer.

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D. Calculate Secondary Attributes

Flow Accumulation (Requires output from Flow Direction)
1.

ArcToolbox>SpatialAnalystTools>Hydrology>FlowAccumulation.

2. ForInputFlowDirectionRaster,usetheoutputofFlowDirectionfromearlierstep.Ifyoukept
thesuggestedname,itwillbe"fdir_dem".
3. Browsetooutputworkspaceandnametheoutputraster"facc_dem".
4. Youcanacceptdefaultsfortheotherfactors.
5. ClickOKtorun.
6. Theoutputrasterisaddedtothemapasanewlayer.

11 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Stream Power Index (SPI)

SPI=Ln(("facc_dem"+0.001)*(("slope_dem"/100)+0.001))
1.

LaunchtheRasterCalculatorbyclickingonClickonSpatialAnalystToolsMapAlgebra
RasterCalculator
2. Enterformulasotheresultlooksexactlyliketheformulaabove.
3. OutputRasterthumbdrive\terrain\spi
4. ClickOKtorunthecalculation.

12 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Compound Topographic Index (CTI)

CTI=LN(([FlowAcc_Dem]+0.001)/(([Slope_Dem]/100)+0.001))
Ln(("facc_dem"+0.001)/(("slope_dem"/100)+0.001))
1.

LaunchtheRasterCalculatorbyclickingonClickonSpatialAnalystToolsMapAlgebra
RasterCalculator
2. Enterformulasotheresultlooksexactlyliketheformulaabove.
3. OutputRasterthumbdrive\terrain\cti
4. ClickOKtorunthecalculation.

13 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Exercise 2: Interpretation
A. Visualization / Comparative Techniques
Terrain Attribute Comparison
Often,thebestwaytounderstanddifferencesinterrainattributecalculationsistovieweachlayerin
conjunctionwithoneanother.Bypayingcarefulattentiontoaspecificportionofthelandscape,one
canoverlayeachoftheterrainattributestogainabetterunderstandingofwhyeachattribute'svalueis
whatitis.
Orthophoto/Terrain Attribute Comparison
Usingairphotostodoaroughvalidationisacceptableforthelargestfeaturesonly,butmore
importantly,utilizingorthophotographyisagreatwaytobetterunderstandyourlandscape.While
groundtruthingisthemosteffectiveandaccuratewaytodeterminehowyourterrainattributesare
describingthelandscape,thisisnotalwayspossible,especiallyonprivatelyownedland.Furthermore,
orthophotoswhenusedwithflowaccumulationanditsassociatedsecondaryterrainattributes,often
helpinassessingwhetherornothydrologicconditioningisrequiredforthetaskathand
AddMNGEOWMSService
1. OpenArcMapandclickon'AddData'
2. LookintheCatalog,andclickon'GISServers'
3. Highlight'AddWMSServer'sothatitappearsintheNamewindow,andhit'Add'.An'AddWMS
Server'windowwillpopup.
4. TobringuptheImageryserver,typehttp://geoint.lmic.state.mn.us/cgibin/wms?intheURL
window.Youcanclickonthe'Layers'buttontoseealistofthelayersavailableunderthewms.
Click'OK'.
5. TobringuptheScannedDRGserver,typehttp://geoint.lmic.state.mn.us/cgibin/wmsz?inthe
URLwindow.Youcanhitthe'GetLayers'buttontoseealistofthelayersavailableunderthe
wms.Click'OK'.
6. Nowwhenyoulookunder'GISServers'youhavetwonewentries:'LMICWMSserver(aerial
photography)ongeoint.lmic.state.mn.us'and'LMICWMSserver(quadsheetdrgs)on
geoint.lmic.state.mn.us'
7. Stillinthe'AddData'windowunder'GISServers',highlightoneoftheserviceslistedunder#6to
bringitintothe'Name'window,thenclickon'Add'.Theservice,withallofitslayers,hasnow
beenaddedtoyourArcMapproject.
8. Clickonthe'+'toopenthemapservice

14 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Swipe
1. TodisplaytheEffectsToolbar,rightclickanywhereinthetoolbarandselectEffects.
2. SelecttheSwipeToolto"wipe"alayerusingahorizontalorverticallineacrossthescreen.

3. Makesurethelayeryouwantto"swipe"isshowninthe"Layer:"box.
4. Clickonthemapanddragtoswipe(donotreleasemousebutton;themousemustbedepressed
togettheswipeeffect.)
Seeexampleofswipebelow:

Specific Colormaps for each Terrain Attribute

Oftenthisisamatterofpersonalpreference,butthereareafewtips/tricksindisplayusedforspecific
terrainattributes

SlopeColormapvariations
FlowAccumulationVisualizeupslopecontributingareaasifitwereawatershedboundary
CTIBlue/Waterdisplayhighestvalues
SPIBrown/Sedimentdisplayhighestvalues

15 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

 B. Determining Thresholds
Threshold Value Display
1. Addtoyourmaptherasterofourareaofinterestasanewlayer.
2. ClickthenameofthelayerinthemapTableofContentsandrenameit:DEM.
3. SelectthisDEMLayeragain,rightclick>Properties.
a. NowclicktheSymbologytab.Hereyoucanchangethecolorramp.
b. Workshopdemonstrationcolormapandstretchtypeadjustments

Percentile Analysis
1.
ArcToolbox>ConversionTools>FromRaster>RastertoASCII
2. InputRaster:SPI(selectfromdropdownlist).
3. OutputASCIIFILE:Browsetoyouroutputworkspaceandnameitspi_pct
4. OpenExcel
a. NoteMaxrecordsaffectabilitytoinputLiDARdataintoExcel
b. Excel2003maxrecords65,569
c. Excel2007maxrecords1,048,575
d. StatisticalPackagesManyaround10milion
5. Openspi_pct.txt
6. Gothroughthetextimportwizardasshownbelow
a. Steponemakesuretoselectdelimited
b. Steptwobesuretoselectspaceforthedelimeter
c. Clicknextthroughstepthree,thenfinish
7. Deleterows16toremoveheaderinformation
8. Whatsleftisacompletearrayofthepointsintherasterfileastheyexistedspatially
9. Highlightallvaluesinthearray
10. Findanopencellorcreateone,andtypethisforumula=percentile(array,k)
a. Wherearrayisthehighlightedcolumnwithpointvalues
b. Wherekisthepercentileofintereste.g.0.85
11. Copy/Pastethisformulainfivedifferentcellsintheworksheet,enteringadifferentk
percentileevery5%i.e.75thpercentile,80thpercentile,85thpercentile,etc.
16 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

17 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises

Visualizing the Results

1. SelecttheSPILayeragain,rightclick>Properties.
a. NowclicktheSymbologytab.Hereyoucanchangethecolorramp.
b. Workshopdemonstrationcolormapandstretchtypeadjustmentsforfiveclassified
thresholdvalues
2.
3.
4.
5.

Selectadddata
,navigateto\thumbdrive\terrainandadderosion
Comparetheseknownsitesofobservedgulliestoclassifiedvalues
ArethereareaswithhighSPIvaluesandnoerosionfeaturesdetected,orviceversa?
Prioritizesitesforconservationtargetingbasedonseverityandevenspatialdistributionacross
thepilotarea.

18 TerrainAnalysisWorkshopExercises