Comparison of basin morphometry analyses derived from different DEMs on two drainage basins in Turkey

Abstract

Morphometric analyses provide important data about basins and their drainage networks. Many data sources which are produced from different techniques can be used in this analysis. Two areas which have similar areal and formal features but have different vegetation density were selected as study areas (Kabisre and Koyunluyusufozu Basin). Selected parameters were implemented to both basins using five different datasets: ASTER GDEM, SRTM DEM, ALOS DSM (30 m) and TOPO DEMs (30 m and 10 m). The TOPO DEMs were produced from 1:25.000 scaled digitized topographical maps. The morphometric analyses' result of TOPO DEMs (10 m resolution) was used as the benchmark data for comparing the results of the other data sources. As a result, SRTM DEMs gave the most compatible results with the results of reference data for the study area of Kabisre Basin that has heavy vegetation and the ALOS DSMs gave the closest results to the reference data in study area on Koyunluyusufozu Basin that is deprived of vegetation.