The length and spacing of river tributaries

• Published in: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS Vol. 121; no. 15; p. e2313899121
• Main Authors: Robinson, Michael J, Scheingross, Joel S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Academy of Sciences 09.04.2024
• Subjects: Geological faults; Habitat availability; Lithology; Networks; Nutrients; Power law; River networks; Rivers; Scaling; Tectonics; Tributaries; Watersheds; river network geometry; landscape evolution; relief and habitat distribution; signature of fluvial networks

River networks are composed of a mainstem and tributaries. These tributaries dissect landscapes, regulate water and habitat availability, and transport sediment and nutrients. Despite the importance of tributaries, we currently lack theory and data describing whether and how tributary length and spa...