Multi-process Late Quaternary landscape evolution modelling reveal lags in climate response over small spatial scales

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The AA. use a Landscape Evolution Model (LEM) : LandscApe ProcesS modelling at mUlti dimensions and scaleS (LAPSUS) to explore if it is possible to test and falsify conclusions of an earlier field study on 50ka landscape evolution in Okhombe Valley, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. In this LEM, 5 landscape processes interact without supervision : water driven erosion and deposition, creep, solifluction, biological weathering and frost weathering. Calibration matched model results to 3 types of qualitative fieldwork observations : individual process activity over time, relative process activity over time and net landscapes changes over time. A particularly interesting and persistent feature of model results are erosional and depositional phases that lag climatic drivers both by decades, and by several ka within a few hundred meters. The combined modelling and fieldwork resulst allow a more complete understanding of these responses to climate change and can fill in hiatuses in the stratigraphical record. Suggestions are made for methodological adaptations for future LEM studies.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2009, vol. 34, n°. 4, p. 573-589, nombre de pages : 17, Références bibliographiques : 1,5 p.

Date :
2009

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley