Theory 59/Networks & Connectivity/Fluvial networks
Sediment Follows Branching
The claim
Sediment yield from a catchment is set by the ratio of branching order to slope, so two catchments of equal area can export very different loads.
01Mechanism
Sediment is generated on slopes and routed through channels; branching sets the routing length and the opportunities for deposition.
02Prediction
Yield should track the ratio.
03Refutation
Yield tracking area would remove the network geometry.