Landscape Models

GIs and remote sensing covers large number of products that are used as an input for various projects. Electronic terrain data has its endless significances. Knowing more about the terrain and the surface objects is immense useful in various engineering projects and are widely used in environmental studies as well. With advancement in sensors capabilities these products are becoming more accurate, more precise and more informative.

Type of terrain models

  1. -Digital Elevation Model (DEM)
  2. -Digital Terrain Model (DTM)
  3. -Digital Surface Model (DSM)
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Digital Elevation Model (DEM)

It’s a bare earth model. Set of regularly or irregularly spaced height values. No other information

Digital Terrain Model (DTM)

Same as DEM with a set of regularly or irregularly spaced height values but, with other information about terrain surface like ridge lines, spot heights, troughs, coast/shore lines, drainage lines, faults, peaks, pits, passes, etc.

Digital Surface Model (DSM)

DSM represents the MSL elevations of the reflective surfaces of trees, buildings, and other features elevated above the “Bare Earth”.