Principles of Soilscape and Landscape Evolution

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.

Garry Willgoose is a Professor in the Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, at the University of Newcastle, New South Wales. His research focuses on understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of drivers of hydrology and erosion including landforms, soils, vegetation, soil moisture and fire. He developed the internationally utilised SIBERIA landscape evolution model, for which he was awarded the Lorenz Straub Award. He later customised SIBERIA to examine the long-term sustainability of rehabilitated mine sites, and developed further models for co-evolving hydrology, vegetation and soil for these sites.