Abstract Channel networks with artibtrary drainage density or resolution can be extracted from digital elevation data. However, for data derived to useful they have at the correct length scale density. Here we suggest a criterion determining appropriate which extract The is basically highest (highest density) network that satisfies scaling laws traditionally been found hold channel networks. Procedures use this are presented and tested on 21 sets well distributed throughout U.S.

1. A view of river basins 2. Fractal characteristics 3. Multifractal 4. Optimal channel networks: minimum energy and fractal structures 5. Self-organized networks 6. On landscape self-organization 7. Geomorphological hydrologic response 8. References.

The Mekong River Basin, site of the biggest inland fishery in world, is undergoing massive hydropower development. Planned dams will block critical fish migration routes between river's downstream floodplains and upstream tributaries. Here we estimate biomass biodiversity losses numerous damming scenarios using a simple ecological model migration. Our framework allows detailing trade-offs dam locations, power production, impacts on resources. We find that completion 78 tributaries, which...

The hydrologic mechanisms underlying the climate‐soil‐vegetation dynamics and thus controlling most basic ecologic patterns processes are described as one very exciting research frontier for years to come. In this personal opinion I have concentrated on those where soil moisture is key link between climate fluctuations vegetation in space time. balance equation at a site shown be keystone of numerous fundamental questions which may instrumental quantitative linkage ecological processes. Some...

Some essential features of the terrestrial hydrologic cycle and ecosystem response are singled out by confronting empirical observations soil water balance different ecosystems with results a stochastic model moisture dynamics. The simplified framework analytically describes how hydroclimatic variability (especially frequency amount rainfall events) concurs plant characteristics in producing dynamics that turn impact vegetation conditions. extend help interpret classical curve Budyko, which...

This paper presents a model of the long‐term evolution catchments, growth their drainage networks, and changes in elevations within both channels hillslopes. Elevation are determined from continuity equations for flow sediment transport, with transport being related to discharge slope. The central feature is that it explicitly differentiates between behavior hillslopes on basis observed physics, channel network extension results solely physically based interactions difference one most...

Stochastic models are discussed for the variation of rainfall intensity at a fixed point in space. First, analysed which storm events arise Poisson process, each such event being associated with period random duration and constant but intensity. Total is formed by adding contributions from all events. Then similar more complex studied storms giving rise to cluster rain cells cell rain. The main properties these determined analytically. Analysis some hourly data Denver, Colorado shows...

The soil moisture dynamics under seasonally fixed conditions are studied at a point. water balance is described through the representation of rainfall as marked Poisson process which in turn produces an infiltration into dependent on existing level moisture. losses from due to evapotranspiration and leakage also considered steady–state probability distributions for then analytically obtained. analysis distribution allows assessment role climate, vegetation dynamics. Further hydrologic...

Global freshwater resources are under increasing pressure from economic development, population growth, and climate change. The international trade of water-intensive products (e.g., agricultural commodities) or virtual water has been suggested as a way to save globally. We focus on the network associated with food built annual data modeled content. evolution this 1986 2007 is analyzed linked policies, socioeconomic circumstances, efficiency. find that number connections volume global more...

Ever since Mandelbrot (1975, 1983) coined the term, there has been speculation that river networks are fractals. Here we report analyses done on to determine their fractal structure. We find network as a whole, although composed of nearly linear members, is practically space filling with dimension near 2. The empirical results backed by theoretical analysis based long‐standing hydrologic concepts describing geometric similarity networks. These advance our understanding geometry and composition

A stochastic model for rainfall at a single site is studied in which storms arrive Poisson process, each storm consisting of cluster random number rain cells, cell having duration and depth. an earlier paper extended to provide better fit empirical experience, the extension being based on attachment variable achieve particular some correlation between durations cells within storm. The properties new are developed, its fitting two sets data described examination adequacy detail via not used...

Biological communities often occur in spatially structured habitats where connectivity directly affects dispersal and metacommunity processes. Recent theoretical work suggests that constrained by the of specific habitat structures, such as dendrites like river networks, can explain observed features biodiversity, but direct evidence is still lacking. We experimentally show per se shapes diversity patterns microcosm metacommunities at different levels. Local isotropic lattice landscapes...

We present a novel conceptual framework and methodology for studying virtual water trade. utilize complex network theory to analyze the structure of global trade associated with international food In network, nations that participate in correspond nodes, links represent flows from country export import. find number connections follows an exponential distribution, except case import relationships, while volume each nation trades compares well stretched indicating high heterogeneity between...

Significance China’s fast socioeconomic growth increasingly strains national water resources, notably through rising urbanization and meat demand. Agriculture is located mainly in the dry north, where irrigation largely relies on groundwater reserves. This paper analyzes role of international interprovincial food trade agricultural water-use supply. We combine a hydrological model with to quantify volumes rainfall transferred between provinces other countries trade. find that dry,...

Landscape and climate alterations foreshadow global-scale shifts of river flow regimes. However, a theory that identifies the range foreseen impacts on streamflows resulting from inhomogeneous forcings sensitivity gradients across diverse regimes is lacking. Here, we derive measurable index embedding landscape attributes (the ratio mean interarrival streamflow-producing rainfall events catchment response time) discriminates erratic with enhanced intraseasonal streamflow variability...

Significance Our focus is on a rich interdisciplinary problem touching earth science, hydrology, and statistical mechanics—an understanding of the statics dynamics network structures that we observe in fluvial landscape, their relation to evolution selection recurrent patterns self-organization. It an exemplar how diverse ideas, numerical simulation, elementary mathematics can come together help solve mystery ubiquitous pattern nature.