ArcPycor: an open-source automated GIS tool to co-register elevation datasets

Abstract

Subtraction of elevation datasets (e.g. digital elevation models (DEMs) and non-continuous elevation points) acquired at different times is a useful method to monitor landform surface change. Due to heavy post-processing of these elevation datasets, multi-source errors are introduced into the resulting elevation data products. To improve the estimation of elevation change, co-registration of elevation datasets is a prerequisite. This paper presents an open-source automated GIS tool (arcPycor) for co-registering elevation datasets. arcPycor is coded in Python 2.7 and is run via ArcGIS for Desktop. The performances of arcPycor have been evaluated using a series of experiments. In benchmark tests, the resolved co-registration vectors of arcPycor are compared to the predefined shift vectors obtained by artificially misaligning the slave DEMs from the master elevation datasets. Results show that arcPycor is able to co-register DEMs with relative high accuracy and can well align slave DEMs to non-continuous elevation points, which indicates its robustness in co-registering of elevation datasets. arcPycor is also able to co-register multi-sourced DEMs of different resolutions in mountain areas.