Abstract
The use of spatial analytical techniques for describing and classifying seafloor terrain has become increasingly widespread in recent years, facilitated by a combination of improved mapping technologies and computer power and the common use of Geographic Information Systems. Considering that the seafloor represents 71% of the surface of our planet, this is an important step towards understanding the Earth in its entirety. Bathymetric mapping systems, spanning a variety of sensors, have now developed to a point where the data they provide are able to capture seabed morphology at multiple scales, opening up the possibility of linking these data to oceanic, geological, and ecological processes. Applications of marine geomorphometry have now moved beyond the simple adoption of techniques developed for terrestrial studies. Whilst some former challenges have been largely resolved, we find new challenges constantly emerging from novel technology and applications. As increasing volumes of bathymetric data are acquired across the entire ocean floor at scales relevant to marine geosciences, resource assessment, and biodiversity evaluation, the scientific community needs to balance the influx of high-resolution data with robust quantitative processing and analysis techniques. This will allow marine geomorphometry to become more widely recognized as a sub-discipline of geomorphometry as well as to begin to tread its own path to meet the specific challenges that are associated with seabed mapping. This special issue brings together a collection of research articles that reflect the types of studies that are helping to chart the course for the future of marine geomorphometry.
Highlights
Geomorphometry is the science of quantitative surface analysis [1,2] that evolved from mathematics, Earth sciences, and computer science [3]
In line with the review by Lecours et al [10], the two main applications of marine geomorphometry remain in the general fields of geomorphology and habitat mapping (Figure 4)
There is a complex interplay where new developments in this field will ebb between improved data collection and data-processing technique to create higher-resolution and more accurate digital bathymetric model (DBM) and workflows with improved big data processing algorithms to handle larger and more complex automated methodologies for feature extraction
Summary
Geomorphometry (or digital terrain analysis, digital terrain modelling) is the science of quantitative surface analysis [1,2] that evolved from mathematics, Earth sciences, and computer science [3]. Those efforts have resulted in the broader geomorphometry community becoming more aware of the challenges specific to the analysis of seafloor bathymetry data. The marine sciences community has become more aware of the field of geomorphometry, some of its concepts, tools, and applications are still perhaps more widely recognized than others. This special issue on Marine Geomorphometry is timely, as mutual recognition by the geomorphometry and marine sciences communities is higher than ever. The need to work together to solve emerging issues in quantitative seafloor analysis is increasingly being acknowledged by both communities This special issue explores existing and emerging trends where marine science applications and geomorphometry meet. By continuing research along these lines, we will ensure that, as new characterization methods are developed, they are valid, repeatable, and robust to classification ontologies
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