Geomorphometric analysis of urban fluvial terraces using UAV LiDAR: A case study from the La Silla River, Mexico

Abstract

Abstract. This study presents a high-resolution geomorphological analysis of river terraces along the urban corridor of the La Silla River (Monterrey Metropolitan Area, Mexico) using UAV-based LiDAR and photogrammetry, with a DJI Matrice 350 RTK equipped with a Zenmuse L2 sensor, generating dense point clouds, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and orthomosaics. These products allowed for the precise identification of three terrace levels (T1-T3), their geomorphometric attributes, and their lithological composition. The results reveal contrasting degrees of anthropogenic modification: while terrace 1 retains its natural morphology, terraces 2 and 3 show substantial alterations due to residential expansion, public infrastructure, and road construction, which alter the original geomorphological surfaces. Temporal satellite images also show the sensitivity of terrace geomorphology to extreme hydrometeorological phenomena, with cyclones such as Hanna (2020) and Alberto (2024) causing vegetation loss, surface restructuring, and local modification of terraces. Overall, UAV-LiDAR proved to be very effective for mapping terraces in restricted urban environments, providing essential details for monitoring, risk assessment, and sustainable management of urban rivers.