Abstract
Abstract: In topographic maps, contour lines and elevation points usually represent the variation of height and slope. Contour lines interval defines the level of detail for relief representation. Geomorphological features we can identify on maps are related to contour lines generalization. In this study, we aim to define the necessary level of detail for the cartographic representation of relief features from the sandyzation process. The methodology comprises: defining the relief features associated with sandyzation at the study area by literature review; describing the aspects of data survey using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to generate the orthophoto mosaic and the Digital Surface Model (DSM); and using the DSM to extract contour lines at different scales. We defined eight relief features (denudational landform, rill, ravine, micro-residual hill, dune, depositional fan, concentrated flow, and gully) for contour cartographic representation at 1:5,000, 1:1,000, 1:500, 1:200, and 1:100 scales. The results show the scales in which the relief features have their geomorphological characteristics better represented by contours lines. Since there is no reference for suitable scales for the cartographic representation of landforms related to the sandyzation process, this study can contribute to geomorphological researches in areas where this process occurs.
Highlights
Cartographic representation of the relief is essential to geomorphological mapping and the description of the landscape
We described the aspects of data survey using Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to generate the orthophoto mosaic and the Digital Surface Model (DSM)
We defined the suitable scales for the cartographic representation of landforms associated with the sandyzation process
Summary
Cartographic representation of the relief is essential to geomorphological mapping and the description of the landscape. Depicting the relief features is highly dependable on the map scale, and the level of contour lines generalization influences the geomorphological features we can identify on maps. The relief features can appear or disappear on the map according to the scale of representation. The contour lines should represent the relief with a high detail level for geomorphological studies. In the Brazilian geomorphological mapping, some landforms are represented only by point and line symbols (IBGE 2009). We can know the features’ geographic position with these kinds of symbols, but it is not possible to visualize their geomorphological characteristics
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