Advances in 3D Landscape Modeling

Dear Colleagues,

Landscapes are complex systems involving both natural and anthropogenic elements that are perceived with all the senses. Nature created the human eye so that the brain could build a 3D impression of the viewed landscape. Landscape system research uses traditional 2D geospatial data; however, the 3D data obtained using LiDAR, remote sensing, photogrammetry or procedural modelling play a key role in contemporary landscape studies. Unfortunately, 3D data’s potential is often wasted due to 3D geoprocessing tools being underdeveloped. For example, instead of converting a 3D point cloud into a voxel, the majority of geoprocessing routines reduce the data into a 2D raster.  Due to the lack of appropriate tools, an important part of the information is lost, which we assume to be crucial for landscape complexity change monitoring and understanding. 

Landscape research involves three or even four dimensions (4D) of the landscape involved in the geoprocessing workflow, without flattening it into an old-school raster. While rasters are helpful, we expect real 3D or, in the near future, 4D geospatial data to be harnessed.

This Special Issue, “Advances in 3-D landscape modelling”, aims to provide an overview of the advancements in 3D geoprocessing in landscape research. We encourage the submission of concise scientific papers on 3D data acquisition, geoprocessing, analytics and visualization that aim to improve our understanding of landscape systems. 

We are particularly interested in methodological approaches and open-source geoprocessing tool development. Papers may also investigate 3D data visualization or space-time changes (4D) changes. Virtual and augmented reality (VR / AR and computer games landscape visualization, as new areas of research in this field, are of particular interest. Research can focus on either cityscape or rural/forest/natural landscapes. Papers discussing the evolution from 2D to 3D (or beyond) landscape research methods are also welcome.

Dr. Szymon Chmielewski
Prof. Dr. Piotr Wezyk
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Land is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• 3D landscape analysis and visualization
• 3D landscape geoprocessing and modelling
• 3D point cloud—LiDAR ALS, TLS, MLS
• optical and microwave RS data for 3D modelling
• computer game landscape
• VR and AR in landscape studies