Monitoring Badlands Features through TLS and UAV Technology

High-resolution Point Clouds (PC), obtained from Terrestrial Laser Scanner and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based surveys (both LiDAR and RGB), enables the precise detection of topographical changes, essential for advanced geomorphological analysis. This study evaluates the performance of both methods in a badlands area near Aliano (Basilicata region, southern Italy), characterized by distinctive dome-shaped landforms known as biancane. The complex morphology investigated presents challenges for these techniques, requiring exceptionally detailed modeling to capture subtle topographical variations with accuracy. These factors introduce potential sources of error that must be addressed to ensure reliable analysis. Furthermore, another source of errors depends on the type of landscape monitored. In this study we compare PCs derived from different monitoring techniques to define the best practices in combining remote sensing surveys, and to evaluate their strengths, limitations, and potential synergies in monitoring highly complex geomorphological features. By integrating insights from both approaches, we aim to establish best practices for combined remote sensing techniques in the study of badlands and other complex terrains. The preliminary results provide a framework for the selection and optimization of monitoring methodologies based on landscape complexity and project objectives, contributing to the broader application of remote sensing in geomorphology