Using remote sensing to studying quantitative properties of ridge landscapes morphological structure in the Caspian lowland

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studying ridge landscape patterns (formed by Baer mounds) of the Northern Caspian region on the basis of the mathematical landscape morphology approaches. A methodology for studying patterns includes the use of remote sensing data and mathematical methods. Mathematical analysis of six sample areas has revealed that the perimeters and diameters of the ridges fit the lognormal distribution. Discrete indicators that characterize the location of the ridges, complies Poisson`s distribution in most cases. It was revealed that the river erosion destroys the moan`s morphology which leads to their diameters does not fit the lognormal distribution. We test the arguments in favor of various theories of the Baer mounds origin from the point of view of the quantitative features of the morphological structure.