Abstract
Recent developments of digital photogrammetric technology are bringing elevation data with high spatial resolutions. This study proposes a new approach to three-dimensional visualization of pastoral woodlands, known as “sato-yama” in Japanese, using a digital elevation model (DEM) and a digital surface model (DSM) . Subtraction of the DEM from the DSM provides information on tree heights over the targeted area, which enables highly realistic landscape simulations. A comparison between two visualization techniques, the conventional“draping” technique and the new“planting”approach featuring the above subtraction operation, shows that the latter can provide outputs with higher qualities. Realism of landscape images produced by this new technique is suitable for analytical and monitoring purposes. The new approach proposed in this paper is relevant especially to environmental assessments for woodlands, forests and other vegetated areas.
