@article{fdi:010073110,
  title = {{U}sing kites for 3-{D} mapping of gullies at decimetre-resolution over several square kilometres : a case study on the {K}amech catchment, {T}unisia},
  author = {{F}eurer, {D}enis and {P}lanchon, {O}livier and {E}l {M}aaoui, {M}. {A}. and {B}en {S}limane, {A}. and {B}oussema, {M}. {R}. and {P}ierrot-{D}eseilligny, {M}. and {R}aclot, {D}amien},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{M}onitoring agricultural areas threatened by soil erosion often requires decimetre topographic information over areas of several square kilometres. {A}irborne lidar and remotely piloted aircraft system ({RPAS}) imagery have the ability to provide repeated decimetre-resolution and accuracy digital elevation models ({DEM}s) covering these extents, which is unrealistic with ground surveys. {H}owever, various factors hamper the dissemination of these technologies in a wide range of situations, including local regulations for {RPAS} and the cost for airborne laser systems and medium-format {RPAS} imagery. {T}he goal of this study is to investigate the ability of low-tech kite aerial photography to obtain {DEM}s with decimetre resolution and accuracy that permit 3-{D} descriptions of active gullying in cultivated areas of several square kilometres. {T}o this end, we developed and assessed a two-step workflow. {F}irst, we used both heuristic experimental approaches in field and numerical simulations to determine the conditions that make a photogrammetric flight possible and effective over several square kilometres with a kite and a consumer-grade camera. {S}econd, we mapped and characterised the entire gully system of a test catchment in 3-{D}. {W}e showed numerically and experimentally that using a thin and light line for the kite is key for a complete 3-{D} coverage over several square kilometres. {W}e thus obtained a decimetre-resolution {DEM} covering 3.18 km(2) with a mean error and standard deviation of the error of +7 and 22 cm respectively, hence achieving decimetre accuracy. {W}ith this data set, we showed that high-resolution topographic data permit both the detection and characterisation of an entire gully system with a high level of detail and an overall accuracy of 74 % compared to an independent field survey. {K}ite aerial photography with simple but appropriate equipment is hence an alternative tool that has been proven to be valuable for surveying gullies with sub-metric details in a square-kilometre-scale catchment. {T}his case study suggests that access to high-resolution topographic data on these scales can be given to the community, which may help facilitate a better understanding of gullying processes within a broader spectrum of conditions.},
  keywords = {{TUNISIE} ; {CAP} {BON}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{N}atural {H}azards and {E}arth {S}ystem {S}ciences},
  volume = {18},
  numero = {6},
  pages = {1567--1582},
  ISSN = {1561-8633},
  year = {2018},
  DOI = {10.5194/nhess-18-1567-2018},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010073110},
}