Introduction -- Constructing a landscape evolution model -- basic concepts -- A brief hydrology and geomorphology primer -- Erosion and other water driven processes -- Soils : constructing a soilscape evolution model -- basic concepts -- Soils : soil depth -- Soils : physical weathering and soil particle fragmentation -- Soils : chemical weathering -- Soils : slow soil flow and creep -- Soils : colloids and soil organic carbon -- Soils : constructing a soilscape evolution model -- details and examples -- Tectonics and geology -- High slope gravity processes -- Vegetation and wildfire -- Constructing a landscape evolution model -- details -- Examples of landscape evolution modeling and final thoughts.
Summary:
Computational models are invaluable in understanding the complex effects of physical processes and environmental factors which interact to influence landform evolution of geologic time scales. This book provides a holistic guide to the construction of numerical models to explain the co-evolution of landforms, soil, vegetation and tectonics, and describes how the geomorphology observable today has been formed. It explains the science of the physical processes and the mechanics of how to solve them, providing a useful resource for graduates studying geomorphology and sedimentary and erosion processes. It also emphasizes the methods for assessing the relative importance of different factors at field sites, enabling researchers to select the appropriate processes to model. Integrating a discussion of the fundamental processes with mathematical formulations, it guides the reader in understanding which processes are important and why, and creates a framework through which to study the interaction of soils, vegetation and landforms over time.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.