Profile curvature

This tool calculates the profile curvature, or the rate of change in slope along a flow line, from a digital elevation model (DEM). Profile curvature is important characterizing changes in flow velocity and sediment transport processes (Gallant and Wilson, 2000). The user must specify the name of the input DEM and the output raster image. Whitebox reports curvature in degrees multiplied by 100 for easier interpretation. The Z Conversion Factor is only important when the vertical and horizontal units are not the same in the DEM. When this is the case, the algorithm will multiply each elevation in the DEM by the Z Conversion Factor.

The algorithm uses the same formula for the calculation of profile curvature as Gallant and Wilson (2000). Profile curvature is negative for slope increasing downhill (i.e. convex flow profiles) and positive for slope decreasing downhill.

See Also:

• Plan Curvature
• Total Curvature
• Tangential Curvature

Scripting:

The following is an example of a Python script that uses this tool:

wd = pluginHost.getWorkingDirectory()
inputFile = wd + "DEM.dep"
outputFile = wd + "curv.dep"
zFactor = "1.0"
args = [inputFile, outputFile, zFactor]
pluginHost.runPlugin("ProfCurv", args, False)


This is a Groovy script also using this tool:

def wd = pluginHost.getWorkingDirectory()
def inputFile = wd + "DEM.dep"
def outputFile = wd + "curv.dep"
def zFactor = "1.0"
String[] args = [inputFile, outputFile, zFactor]
pluginHost.runPlugin("ProfCurv", args, false)


Credits:

• John Lindsay (2012)

References:

• Gallant, J. C., and J. P. Wilson, 2000, Primary topographic attributes, in Terrain Analysis: Principles and Applications, edited by J. P. Wilson and J. C. Gallant pp. 51?86, John Wiley, Hoboken, N.J.