Premium
Allometric Analysis and Stream Channel Morphometry
Author(s) -
Park Chris C.
Publication year - 1978
Publication title -
geographical analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.773
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1538-4632
pISSN - 0016-7363
DOI - 10.1111/j.1538-4632.1978.tb00651.x
Subject(s) - allometry , streams , tributary , channel (broadcasting) , range (aeronautics) , tree allometry , ecology , environmental science , biology , geography , computer science , cartography , biomass (ecology) , computer network , biomass partitioning , materials science , composite material
The concept of allometric change, developed and widely applied in biology, is outlined, and the nature of static allometric changes in stream channel size, relative to drainage area, is considered at a variety of scales. Field observations from Devon, England, allow analysis of the allometric variations along individual channels, between tributaries within a network, and between streams within a region. Data collected from the literature allow these to be viewed in a global perspective. The analysis confirms the applicability and value of the concept of allometric change to channel form studies and suggests a tendency for streams to reach a steady‐state allometric situation when channel capacity increases at the same rate as drainage area. The importance of a range of factors in affecting the nature of the allometric relationships is also assessed.