Symposium on Remote Sensing for Resources Development and Environmental Management / Enschede / August 1986 
657 
A remote sensing methodological approach 
for applied geomorphology mapping in plain areas 
Elíseo Popolizio 
Centro de Geociencas, Universidad Nacional del Nordeste, Argentina 
Carlos Canoba 
Instituto de Fisiograffia y Geología, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina 
ABSTRACT: Methodological problems faced along for more than a decade in applied geomorphological mapping of 
extense areas of the Argentine plains,allows the formulation of a methodological criteria based on remote sens 
ing. According to plain singularities and scales perception levels relations between each study objectives 
and final cartographic scales is discussed. Relations objective and scale are analyzed for three taxonomic 
levels: regional, zonal and local as well as what it 
an adequate symbology. 
INTRODUCTION 
Present work objective is the description of methodo 
logical problems that have been faced during a decade 
and more for applied geomorphological mapping of 
large plain areas, using basically remote sensing 
support. 
On the base of such experience methodological 
criteria were elaborated for terrain mapping with 
several objectives, in different perception levels 
and in corresponding scales. 
For that matter it seems convenient to start from 
the systems theory conception of geomorphology, which 
was reached after successive approximations (Fig.1) 
(Popolizio 1980). 
This presupposes the existence of four principal 
subsystems (interoperated between them under the 
parametric controls of three universes). They are: 
lithostructural, biotic, hydric and edaphic. 
Forms and processes are system outputs, the replies 
external parametric controls, that is to say, they 
are dynamic and they have memory. On the other hand, 
as Callieux-Tricart (1965) say, the size of the geo 
morphological unit being analyzed (taxonomic level) 
decisively influences on the relative importance of 
each subsystem. All this is seen on the landscape 
and obviously it is reflected on the remote sensing 
imagery. 
Therefore it is necessary to be clear on the fact 
that rather past is seen than present in a temporal 
cut, within an evolutionary tendency where variables 
and subsystems are differently perceived according 
to the perception level. 
When work objective is applied cartography, a new 
problematic is introduced which is entailed to work 
objective and representation scalp,which can coincide 
or not with that of the image. 
So before starting a work it is imprescindible to 
ask oneself the following questions: a)Which is work 
objective?, b) Which is the reality observed?, c) 
What is reflected from this reality on the available 
imagery? d) Which scale is to be used in the present 
ation of work result? 
Due to the huge extension of large plains they 
basically require a totalizing and synthetic vision 
of landscape, so as not to risk falling into partial 
ity; nevertheless detailed work is also needed so as 
not to fall into generality. Few methods allow both 
aspects to be managed efficiently, rapidly and cheap 
ly; remote sensing constitutes and advantageous tech 
nique, particularly when applied geomorphological 
works are performed. 
GATHERED EXPERIENCE 
Exposed concepts are the result of a large experience 
in the use of photointerpretation translated in 
perceived in the imagery and what can be plotted using 
numerous works. It has been performed at detail and 
semidetail level covering thousands of square kilo 
meters which represented a permanent synthesis effort 
through succesive aproximations which still continue. 
Figure 1. Geomorphological System. A.Climatic; B An 
thropic; C Geodynamic; a Hydrologic; b Edaphic; c 
Lithostructural; d Biotic 
We should not forget to mention thath the former 
works which systematically employed remote sensors 
for argentine large plains interpretation were per 
formed by P.Pasotti (1966) and, on the other hand, 
were always performed as the base for Applied Geo 
morphology for engineering matters. 
From the beginning of investigations the authors 
were confronted with the questions to already stated 
problems especially in what concerns to a valid and 
operative relationship between the landscape, the 
work objective and its cartography. 
At those times satellite imagery were not available 
and even now proffesionals do not easily obtain them 
or they are not willing to employ them. Nevertheless 
authors permanent thoughts to seek for the adequate 
level perception to permit synthesis obtention; that 
also implies the need of scale changes. This is now 
adays much more easily to solution than in those days. 
This problem which appeared to be negative in form*- 
er times resulted as the best profit in our methodo= 
logical experiences, due to the fact that it allowed 
to look for way's to find synthesis with available 
resources and not to leave aside any document or 
perception level (as Verstiappen 1983 has refered in 
multiphase method). This point is not frequently 
taken in consideration by those investigators at 
their initial stage of application of the technique. 
Each document original or generated (p.e.cartogra