Abstract
ABSTRACT The microscopic exterior link density (⊘ e ) is a dimensionless planimetric variable equal to the length of an exterior channel link squared divided by its drainage area. In landscapes with shallow soils, low infiltration capacities, and thin vegetative covers, Hortonian overland flow occurs over virtually the entire ground surface and controls the positions of the channel heads. Because depth of overland flow is proportional to source-area size (as ) in such landscapes, as is negatively correlated, and hence ⊘ e is positively correlated, with ground slope. In contrast, in landscapes with deep soils, high infiltration capacities, and dense vegetative covers, the locations of channel heads are controlled by a combination of subsurface flow and saturation overland flow, the depth of which bears little relation to as . There is therefore no reason why as should vary inversely with ground slope. This is also true of landscapes where channels are initiated by processes other than running water, such a...
Published Version
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