The Namib Sand Sea digital database of aeolian dunes and key forcing variables

Livingstone, I., Bristow, C., Bryant, R. G., Bullard, J., White, K. , Wiggs, G. F. S., Baas, A. C. W., Bateman, M. D. and Thomas, D. S. G. (2010) The Namib Sand Sea digital database of aeolian dunes and key forcing variables. Aeolian Research, 2 (2-3). pp. 93-104. ISSN 1875-9637 doi: 10.1016/j.aeolia.2010.08.001

Abstract/Summary

A new digital atlas of the geomorphology of the Namib Sand Sea in southern Africa has been developed. This atlas incorporates a number of databases including a digital elevation model (ASTER and SRTM) and other remote sensing databases that cover climate (ERA-40) and vegetation (PAL and GIMMS). A map of dune types in the Namib Sand Sea has been derived from Landsat and CNES/SPOT imagery. The atlas also includes a collation of geochronometric dates, largely derived from luminescence techniques, and a bibliographic survey of the research literature on the geomorphology of the Namib dune system. Together these databases provide valuable information that can be used as a starting point for tackling important questions about the development of the Namib and other sand seas in the past, present and future.