Surface Fractal Characterization of Topography and Landcover Using Airborne Laser Swath Mapping

High density, small footprint Airborne Laser Swath Mapping (ALSM, also referred to as LiDAR) is used to determine surface fractal dimensionality of various types of topography and landcover throughout southeastern Idaho. Surface fractal mapping and classification are used to determine principal length scales found in different types of topography and vegetation. Knowledge of fractal dimensions can assist in determining sampling intervals, error statistics, and vegetation removal when creating digital terrain models (DTMs) and vegetation height maps. Terrain types investigated in this study include semi-arid rangelands, forests, riparian areas, canyons, landslides, and agricultural regions.