LANDFORM – GIS based generation of topographic attributes for landform classification in Australia

This paper presents LANDFORM, a customized GIS application for semi-automated landform classification based on the definitions of SPEIGHT (1990). A set of commands for GeoMedia was developed for an easy step-by-step generation of topographic attributes for the classification of landform elements. Using the new commands topographic attributes like curvature or elevation percentile were derived from a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and used as thresholds for the classification of crests, flats, depressions and slopes. The classification results can be incorporated into protocols for determining homogeneous land management units (LMUs) that can be used for site-specific crop management approaches in precision agriculture, as it is envisaged in the agricultural project described hereafter.