A hierarchical cluster system based on Horton-Strahler rules for river networks

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Da Costa, F.P. and Wattis, J.A.D. and Grinfeld, M. (2002) A hierarchical cluster system based on Horton-Strahler rules for river networks. Studies in Applied Mathematics, 109 (3). pp. 163-204. ISSN 0022-2526 (http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9590.00221)

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Abstract

We consider a cluster system in which each cluster is characterized by two parameters: an "order"i, following Horton-Strahler rules, and a "mass"j following the usual additive rule. Denoting by ci,j(t) the concentration of clusters of order i and mass j at time t, we derive a coagulation-like ordinary differential system for the time dynamics of these clusters. Results about the existence and the behavior of solutions as t→∞ are obtained; in particular, we prove that ci,j(t) → 0 and Ni(c(t)) → 0 as t→∞, where the functional Ni(·) measures the total amount of clusters of a given fixed order i. Exact and approximate equations for the time evolution of these functionals are derived. We also present numerical results that suggest the existence of self-similar solutions to these approximate equations and discuss their possible relevance for an interpretation of Horton's law of river numbers.

ORCID iDs

Da Costa, F.P., Wattis, J.A.D. and Grinfeld, M. ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3897-8819;
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