A dataset of topographic factors with 12.5 m spatial resolution in the Yellow River Basin

Abstract

The Yellow River Basin is a key area of soil and water conservation and ecological protection in China, due to its complex topography and great variation in climate. The study on changes of topographical factors is of great significance for the prevention and control of soil and water loss as well as vegetation restoration in this area. This dataset consists of 11 topographic factors, namely slope gradient, slope aspect, comprehensive curvature, plane curvature, sectional curvature, aspect variability, slope variability, topographic relief, surface roughness, surface cutting depth and the coefficient of variation of elevation. The data were sourced from ALOS DEMs with a resolution of 12.5m, which were then processed through four steps: preprocessing, framing, projection and topographic index calculation. Verified by GLA14 altimetry data, the ALOS 12.5 m DEM data, with a high absolute vertical accuracy, are much better in expressing terrain characteristics than data of GDEM with 30 m resolution and STRM DEM data with 90 m resolution. This dataset can provide data support for scientific research in the Yellow River Basin, such as vegetation restoration, quantitative evaluation of soil erosion, and land hydrological analysis.