Elementary forms and “scientific reliability” as an innovative approach to geomorphological mapping

Abstract

A detailed geomorphological map of the surroundings of Prášilské Lake, Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic is presented. A layer of elementary forms (segments of relief nearing constant values of fundamental morphometric variables) holistically covering the whole mapped area was used as a base for mapping. Elementary forms were delineated by: i) analysis of contour lines and a DEM; ii) verification on orthophotomaps and iii) field mapping, where boundaries of each form were verified (195 elementary forms were mapped). Elementary forms were grouped according to their genesis to form geomorphologically homogenous landforms. The geomorphological map covering a 955 ha previously glaciated area is focused on morphogenesis and morphochronology. Additional maps at 1:20,000 provide information about geological characteristics and their interrelations with the main relief features. A map of the scientific reliability of landform origins presents the degrees of uncertainty in geomorphological knowledge. The mapping of elementary forms and the map of scientific reliability provide a holistic view of the mapped area (fundamental for comprehensive analysis of relief), a base for systematization of the relief and a platform for the evaluation and planning of research.

Surface strain rate colour map of the Tatra Mountains region (Slovakia) based on GNSS data

“…The compound map would thus be automatically partitioned into subregions with different degrees of reliability. In Mentlík & Novotná (2010), the scientific reliability rating of the map content is based on an expert's assessment. Our two maps prepared by moving least squares interpolations for 11 and 9 stations are in mutual accordance mainly in the area with higher density of the stations.…”