Principles of Soilscape and Landscape Evolution

This book provides a holistic guide to the construction of numerical models to explain the co-evolution of landforms, soils, vegetation and tectonics.

Garry Willgoose (Author)

9780521858793, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 1 March 2018

334 pages
25.3 x 19.3 x 1.9 cm, 0.87 kg

'An outstanding synthesis that thoroughly addresses both the theoretical basis and practical application of landscape evolution modelling - a benchmark of its kind.' Stuart Lane, Université de Lausanne

Computational models are invaluable in understanding the complex effects of physical processes and environmental factors which interact to influence landform evolution of geologic time scales. This book provides a holistic guide to the construction of numerical models to explain the co-evolution of landforms, soil, vegetation and tectonics, and describes how the geomorphology observable today has been formed. It explains the science of the physical processes and the mechanics of how to solve them, providing a useful resource for graduates studying geomorphology and sedimentary and erosion processes. It also emphasises the methods for assessing the relative importance of different factors at field sites, enabling researchers to select the appropriate processes to model. Integrating a discussion of the fundamental processes with mathematical formulations, it guides the reader in understanding which processes are important and why; and creates a framework through which to study the interaction of soils, vegetation and landforms over time.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Constructing a landscape evolution model – basic concepts
3. A brief hydrology and geomorphology primer
4. Erosion and other water driven processes
5. Soils: constructing a soilscape evolution model – basic concepts
6. Soils: soil depth
7. Soils: physical weathering and soil particle fragmentation
8. Soils: chemical weathering
9. Soils: slow soil flow and creep
10. Soils: colloids and soil organic carbon
11. Soils: constructing a soilscape evolution model – details and examples
12. Tectonics and geology
13. High slope gravity processes
14. Vegetation and wildfire
15. Constructing a landscape evolution model – details
16. Examples of landscape evolution modelling and final thoughts
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD], Soil science, sedimentology [RBGB]