Download - New Zealand Society of Soil Science

GHG Centre initiative – expression of interest has been put in by Harry Clark et al.
Virtual Centre – access to LCA experts.
GENERAL BUSINESS
Norman Taylor Lecture - Trish Fraser
Further details to follow in October issue of Soil News.
50 th Anniversary of Soil Research in Antarctica
Suggested that RSNZ could be approached for funding.
Megan Balks is organising; it was proposed that a branch meeting of the NZSSS.
It was proposed that committee supports an event being held as a branch meeting for the
celebration of 50 Years and the committee would support some funding towards Graeme
Claridge to attend.
Louis/ Allan - carried
SECRETARIAT
Correspondence
None of particular note other than changes of contact details.
NEXT MEETING
In late November. Action: Secretary to canvas closer to time.
Meeting closed at 2.30pm
Abstracts
Developing national-scale terrain attributes for New Zealand (TANZ)
David J. Palmer A, B , Barbara K. Höck A , David J. Lowe B , Andrew G. Dunningham A , and Tim W. Payn A
A
Scion, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand. B Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University
of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
Abstract
Primary and secondary terrain attributes provide information essential for environmental modelling in
a wide range of disciplines. Although topographical attributes are frequently developed and used in
New Zealand, currently these attributes remain piecemeal and site specific. In this paper we define the
parameters and protocols used in developing national-scale terrain attributes for New Zealand
(TANZ). By ‗national scale‘ we mean digital maps or surfaces extending over the entire national
territory of New Zealand. The software TAPES-G (Terrain Analysis Programs for the Environmental
Sciences - Grid) was used to develop primary terrain attributes at a 25 m resolution. The GIS platform
ArcInfo, in conjunction with Arc Macro Language (AML), was used to extract source DEM data for
large catchments across New Zealand using a macro-catchment coverage vector surface. Macrocatchments
serve two purposes: (1) to ensure array size parameters for TAPES-G are not exceeded;
and (2) the macro-catchment parameter acts as a boundary for TAPES-G processing. AMLs automate
the development of terrain attributes and the subsequent merging of raster data into a series of national
topographic attributes. In developing TANZ we set out to create high-quality surfaces useful for
productivity modelling and spatial interpolation of Pinus radiata data across New Zealand. TANZ
surfaces will be additionally useful in other modelling environments including hydrology,
geomorphology, pedology, and ecology with potential applications in resource management,
environmental modelling, GIS, pedometrics, and geostatistics. This bulletin provides comprehensive
technical information covering the protocols and processes used to develop TANZ.
Source: Forest Research Bulletin (2009) No. 232. 81pp. (ISBN: 0-478-11024-3)
178