Dependence of river network scaling on initial conditions

TL;DR

This paper explores how initial conditions, specifically slope versus noise, influence the scaling patterns of river networks, revealing transitions from dendritic to parallel forms and the potential for deviations from simple power-law scaling.

Contribution

It demonstrates that initial slope dominance can cause significant changes in river network patterns and scaling behavior, highlighting the importance of initial conditions in landscape evolution models.

Findings

Increased slope leads to a transition from dendritic to parallel river networks.

Simple power-law scaling breaks down with higher slope dominance.

Deviations from scaling may originate from initial conditions and perturbations.

Abstract

We investigate the dependence of river network scaling on the relative dominance of slope vs. noise in initial conditions, using an erosion model. Increasing slope causes network patterns to transition from dendritic to parallel and results in a breakdown of simple power-law scaling. This provides an example of how natural deviations from scaling might originate. Similar network patterns in leaves suggest such deviations may be widespread. Simple power-law scaling in river networks may require a combination of dynamics, initial conditions, and perturbations over time.