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Modelling sediment fluxes at large spatial and temporal scales

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Long Term Hillslope and Fluvial System Modelling

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences ((LNEARTH,volume 101))

Abstract

A conceptual approach to the representation of long-term regional sediment fluxes is presented. Existing models that directly or indirectly address this objective are reviewed, and various issues associated with large scale modelling of sediment fluxes are identified. The approach offered here is designed to operate at large temporal and spatial scales. It is hierarchical, and provides a framework for integrating the results of various other approaches. The approach is based on the thesis that it is the development of landscape configuration that should be modelled on larger scales, and therefore an aggregated modelling approach for landform structure and sediment redistribution is required. Emphasis is placed on (a) frequency/magnitude spectra as a means of integrating sediment generating processes of different nature, (b) temporal aggregation for parameterisation of driving forces, and (c) routing of sediment through a topological network of morphologically defined landscape units. A series of issues requiring further research are identified, including (1) definition of geomorphic storage units, (2) establishment of effective driving and controlling factors within aggregated phases of landform development, (3) establishment of frequency/magnitude spectra for sediment generating and distributing processes, and (4) form/process/form coupling.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Landcare Research, Private Bag 11-052, Palmerston North, New Zealand

    Nicholas Preston

  2. Landcare Research, P.O. Box 69, Lincoln, New Zealand

    Jochen Schmidt

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  1. Nicholas Preston
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  2. Jochen Schmidt
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. K. U. Leuven, Redingstraat 16, 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    Andreas Lang

  2. Geographisches Institut der Universität Bonn, Meckenheimer Allee 166, 53115, Bonn, Germany

    Richard Dikau  & Kirsten Hennrich  & 

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Preston, N., Schmidt, J. (2003). Modelling sediment fluxes at large spatial and temporal scales. In: Lang, A., Dikau, R., Hennrich, K. (eds) Long Term Hillslope and Fluvial System Modelling. Lecture Notes in Earth Sciences, vol 101. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36606-7_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36606-7_4

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-00982-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-36606-5

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