** Progress in Earth and Planetary Science is the official journal of the Japan Geoscience Union, published in collaboration with its 51 society members.

    ** Progress in Earth and Planetary Science is partly financially supported by a Grant-in-Aid for Publication of Scientific Research Results to enhance dissemination of information of scientific research.

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    Interdisciplinary research

    Morphometric measurements of bedrock rivers at different spatial scales and applications to geomorphological heritage research

    Gomez-Heras M, Ortega-Becerril JA, Garrote J, Fort R, Lopez-Gonzalez L

    Bedrock rivers, Geomorphological heritage, Non-destructive techniques, Digital elevation models, LiDAR, SfM, Photogrammetry, Microroughness

    (a)Example of DEM for different scales of morphometric measurements in bedrock rivers, (b)Large-scale airborne scan, (c)mesoscale SfM, (d)microscale rugosimeter

    Morphometric characterisation is particularly relevant in the study of geomorphological heritage. 3D modelling techniques have been proven as very useful tools to recognise, characterise and valorise geomorphosites. Bedrock rivers account for one of the most outstanding aspects within geomorphological heritage due to the amount of distinctive and attractive geomorphological features associated to them and the high preservation of sculpted forms. Digital elevation models (DEMs) have made it increasingly possible to establish accurate morphometric indices and establish clearer connections between forms and processes. This paper reviews different methodologies to obtain DEMs on bedrock rivers. This review goes from DEM analysis at multiple spatial scales to introduce optical microrugosimeter as the latest technical development to facilitate micromorphometric analysis. Micromorphometric analysis opens the scope for improving the knowledge we have on trans-scale issues in bedrock rivers. Micromorphometric analysis also opens a new layer of information that enriches the public’s valuation of geodiversity of geomorphosites by increasing its didactic and interpretative potential.