TY - GEN
T1 - River networks as emergent characteristics of open dissipative systems
AU - Paik, K.
AU - Kumar, P.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Open dissipative systems, such as river networks, are known to exhibit self-organization with the tree network as the resulting signature pattern. Models that use the minimization constraint on energy expenditure have been successful in reproducing the branching tree patterns but the mechanism that enables the systems to find these extremal states remains elusive.We postulate that inherent random perturbation in the system environment is a sufficient condition for the generation of tree patterns. We demonstrate this, using a numerical river network evolution model driven by erosion-deposition processes under a gravitation gradient, and show that the minimization of energy expenditure is a consequent signature. Resulting river networks exhibit characteristics of natural river networks such as self-similarity, Hack's law, and power law in exceedance probability distribution of contributing area. Our finding in the evolutionary mechanism may serve as a motif for the formation of other networks.
AB - Open dissipative systems, such as river networks, are known to exhibit self-organization with the tree network as the resulting signature pattern. Models that use the minimization constraint on energy expenditure have been successful in reproducing the branching tree patterns but the mechanism that enables the systems to find these extremal states remains elusive.We postulate that inherent random perturbation in the system environment is a sufficient condition for the generation of tree patterns. We demonstrate this, using a numerical river network evolution model driven by erosion-deposition processes under a gravitation gradient, and show that the minimization of energy expenditure is a consequent signature. Resulting river networks exhibit characteristics of natural river networks such as self-similarity, Hack's law, and power law in exceedance probability distribution of contributing area. Our finding in the evolutionary mechanism may serve as a motif for the formation of other networks.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857008989&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84857008989
SN - 0415393760
SN - 9780415393768
T3 - River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics: RCEM 2005 - Proceedings of the 4th IAHR Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics
SP - 1107
EP - 1116
BT - River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics
T2 - 4th IAHR Symposium on River, Coastal and Estuarine Morphodynamics, RCEM 2005
Y2 - 4 October 2005 through 7 October 2005
ER -