Very high‐resolution digital elevation models: are multi‐scale derived variables ecologically relevant?

摘要: Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) are often used in landscape ecology to retrieve elevation or first derivative terrain attributes such as slope aspect the context of species distribution modelling. However, DEM-derived variables scale-dependent and, given increasing availability very high resolution (VHR) DEMs, their ecological relevance must be assessed for different spatial resolutions. In a study area located Swiss Western Alps, we computed VHR DEMs-derived related morphometry, hydrology and solar radiation. Based on an original 0.5 meters, generated at 1m, 2m 4m resolutions, applying Gaussian Pyramid. Their associations with local climatic factors, measured by sensors (direct ambient air temperature, humidity soil moisture) well indicators derived from composition, were multivariate Generalized Linear (GLM) Mixed (GLMM). Specific showed significant factors. addition slope, curvature, underused wetness ruggedness indices modeled moisture, respectively. Remarkably, had influence models’ strength, coefficients determination decreasing coarser resolutions showing optimum resolution, depending variable considered. These results support using multi-scale DEM provide surrogates important humidity, moisture offering suitable alternatives direct measurements evolutionary studies scale.