A comprehensive system of definitions of land surface (topographic) curvatures, with implications for their application in geoscience modelling and prediction

摘要: Abstract Current use of land surface curvatures (LSCs) is in a confused state as large gap has opened up between applications and theoretical work. LSCs exercise important control on changes gravity potential energy the equilibrium surface, they are increasingly used geosciences but not consistently defined. This paper offers comprehensive framework for definition, classification interpretation LSCs. Systematization known newly derived relationships followed by extension traditional scheme interpretation. A new system starts with basic trio: profile, plan twisting curvatures, includes their slope-dependent sub-forms, combinations imitations. Analysis influence gravitational available mass flows crucial understanding, leads to difference curvature. The systematic evaluation expressions slope disequilibrium further interpretation: zero values can be considered attractors landform development. employed analyses landslide, flood, snow avalanche, forest fire, soil erosion, balance, ground water, digital mapping, individual identification segmentation, modelling landscape development, LIDAR data visualization terrain features. Important improvement LSC all these spheres possible. They mostly computed geographical information systems limited capabilities: performance ArcGIS, SAGA, GRASS, LandSerf, Surfer MICRODEM compared here. interrelations DEM resolution, accuracy generalization demonstrated relation nested hierarchy forms processes. best interpretable LSCs, challenges future progress, specified at close paper.