Introducing the Geomorphometric Atlas of Romania: A Publicly Available Database of Landform Classifications and Land-Surface Variables based on FABDEM

This paper introduces the first national geomorphometric atlas of Romania, an open-access database developed to support detailed terrain assessment and landform characterization. The atlas integrates established landform classification frameworks and a broad set of morphometric variables derived from the 30 m Forest and Buildings Removed Copernicus Digital Elevation Model (FABDEM). To accurately represent Romania’s diverse topography, land-surface parameters (LSPs) and landform types were computed across multiple spatial scales based on the country’s specific topographic grain. The atlas includes both common and lesser-used morphometric indices, derived using automated methods in SAGA GIS and WhiteboxTools' Geomorphometric Analysis toolbox. All processing was conducted in Romania’s national coordinate system, Stereo70 (EPSG:31700), and results were reprojected to Web Mercator (EPSG:3857) only for web-based visualization. The derived data layers were produced in full compliance with FABDEM’s non-commercial license; no redistribution of the raw elevation data occurs. Available through ArcGIS Online and Google Drive, the atlas provides a standardized, high-resolution resource to support geoscientific research, environmental modeling, and spatial planning. Its open-access design enables users to visualize and analyze terrain properties from national to local scales, contributing to improved understanding and practical use of Romania’s geomorphological landscape.