Evaluating the Drainage Density Characteristics on Climate and Drainage Area Using LiDAR Data

The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between drainage density and climate, as represented by climate aridity index, understand area. A total 121 sites with low human impact, a wide range index 0.3 (humid)–10.4 (arid), were selected based on availability light detection ranging (LiDAR) data, producing digital elevation model (DEM) spatial resolution 1 m. curvature-based method, incorporating both positive negative curvature information, was used extract valley (drainage) network from LiDAR-based DEMs. Drainage exhibited monotonically increasing trend, contrary previous results that have shown U-shaped relationship. This discrepancy caused selection watersheds extensive activity in study. One-meter DEM produced greater than studies coarse 30 m small valleys are not detectable low-resolution topography datasets. current encouraged further investigation impact area (watershed size). correlation reconfirmed, while stronger decreasing trend observed arid regions humid regions.