Evaluation of digital elevation models for cartographic support of microzonal-level adaptive landscape agriculture using GIS technologies

A comparative evaluation of digital elevation models (DEMs) for the cartographic support of adaptive landscape agriculture at the microzonal level was conducted. The study was carried out in 2025 within a working plot on a slope agro-landscape of an experimental field in the Belgorod region (plot area 8.4 ha). The aim was to assess data sources of DEMs for creating an accurate cartographic basis for designing adaptive landscape agriculture on slope agro-landscapes. Methods involved comparing global satellite models (SRTM1 v3, AW3D30, FABDEM with 30 m resolution) with a high-precision DEM obtained from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) aerial photography data with an accuracy of up to 3 cm/pixel. Slope and flow direction maps were constructed and analyzed, with verification performed using agrochemical soil analysis data for available phosphorus content. It was established that satellite DEMs show elevation intervals of 2 to 5 m and significant relief generalization, completely smoothing out microforms (rills, gullies), which makes correct hydrological modeling impossible. The UAV-based DEM accurately represents microrelief, enabled the construction of a flow direction map, and identified a predominant western direction. The spatial coincidence of zones with minimum available phosphorus content with washout zones defined by the high-precision DEM confirmed its practical value. For the cartographic support of microzonal-level adaptive landscape agriculture projects, especially on erosion-hazardous slopes, it is necessary to use high-precision DEMs created from UAV aerial photography data. This allows for the delineation of ecological landscape microzones, substantiated placement of anti-erosion elements, and development of differentiated agro-technologies.