Evaluating the Suitability of Multi-Scale Terrain Attribute Calculation Approaches for Seabed Mapping Applications

The scale dependence of benthic terrain attributes is well-accepted, and multi-scale methods are increasingly applied for habitat mapping. There are, however, multiple ways to calculate at scales, the suitability these approaches depends on purpose analysis data characteristics. currently few guidelines establishing appropriateness raster calculation specific mapping applications. First, we identify three common purposes calculating scales mapping: (i) characterizing scale-specific features, (ii) reducing artefacts errors, (iii) mischaracterization ground-truth due inaccurate sample positioning. We then define criteria that should fulfill address purposes. At two study sites, five attributes, including measures orientation, relative position, variability, slope, rugosity were calculated using four compare Results suggested better suited certain tasks. A transferable parameter, termed ‘analysis distance’, was necessary different approaches, emphasize utility such a parameter facilitating generalized comparison across methods, scales.