authority: folia
slug: dsm
name: Digital Surface Model
domain: land
subdomain: topography
authority_id: folia:dsm
parent: elevation
aliases:
  - digital-surface-model
  - surface-elevation
external_ids:
  cf_standard_name: surface_altitude
canonical_units: m
external_validations:
  product:
    id: copernicus-dem-glo30
    docs_url: https://spacedata.copernicus.eu/collections/copernicus-digital-elevation-model
  stac:
    extension: raster
    field: raster:bands
    docs_url: https://github.com/stac-extensions/raster
description: |
  Elevation of the visible top surface — includes buildings, trees,
  and other above-ground features. Distinguished from DTM (bare-earth)
  by what gets captured: a forest pixel's DSM is the canopy top, its
  DTM is the ground beneath. Flagship products: Copernicus DEM
  GLO-30/90, AW3D30, ASTER GDEM v3, NASADEM. Subtracting DTM from
  DSM yields canopy height (where vegetated) or building height
  (where built).
theme: terrain
consumed_by: []
produced_by: []
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://spacedata.copernicus.eu/collections/copernicus-digital-elevation-model
  - https://www.eorc.jaxa.jp/ALOS/en/aw3d30/