Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI)

The Terrain Ruggedness Index (TRI) is a measure used to assess the roughness or complexity of a landscape. It evaluates how much the elevation of the land varies over a specific area. A higher TRI indicates a more rugged terrain with steep slopes and many changes in height, while a lower TRI suggests a flatter, smoother landscape. This index is useful in various fields, such as ecology, geography, and land planning, as it helps identify how physical features of the terrain can affect ecosystems, human activities, and biodiversity.