Category:CliffMetrics

CliffMetrics

CliffMetrics is an advanced software tool crafted to precisely determine the positions of cliff tops and toes along highly irregular coastlines using nothing but a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). Its innovative functionality includes an automated coastline delineation feature, which can be fine-tuned with various smoothing options to generate a streamlined coastline points layer. This layer serves as the foundation for customizable transects of variable lengths, while leveraging coastline orientation to accurately portray the coastline's normal direction. For users seeking to constrain specific locations, the tool seamlessly integrates input coastline points layers. In CliffMetrics, the concepts of cliff top and toe are rigorously defined in purely geometric terms, denoting a sharp transition in elevation along the coastaline. This definition is established through an initial detrended elevation process, followed by the specification of an input threshold, as illustrated in Fig. 1. In addition, the tool operates under the assumption that the cliff represents the predominant feature along the elevation transect. At present, CliffMetrics can be used within a GIS environment (via SAGA GIS software) or programmatically via the Linux version.