Research Article

A cellular model of Holocene upland river basin and alluvial fan evolution

  1. T. J. Coulthard1,*,
  2. M. G. Macklin1,
  3. M. J. Kirkby2

Article first published online: 15 MAR 2002

DOI: 10.1002/esp.318

Issue

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

Earth Surface Processes and Landforms

Volume 27, Issue 3, pages 269–288, March 2002

Additional Information

How to Cite

Coulthard, T. J., Macklin, M. G. and Kirkby, M. J. (2002), A cellular model of Holocene upland river basin and alluvial fan evolution. Earth Surf. Process. Landforms, 27: 269–288. doi: 10.1002/esp.318

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, UK

  2. 2

    School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK

*Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DB, UK.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 15 MAR 2002
  2. Article first published online: 15 MAR 2002
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 12 DEC 2001
  4. Manuscript Revised: 30 NOV 2001
  5. Manuscript Received: 14 AUG 2000

Funded by

  • Natural Environment Research Council. Grant Number: GT4/95/147/F.

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Keywords:

  • CAESAR;
  • cellular;
  • model;
  • river;
  • basin;
  • alluvial fan

Abstract

The CAESAR (Cellular Automaton Evolutionary Slope And River) model is used to simulate the Holocene development of a small upland catchment (4·2 km2) and the alluvial fan at its base. The model operates at a 3 m grid scale and simulates every flood over the last 9200 years, using a rainfall record reconstructed from peat bog wetness indices and land cover history derived from palynological sources.

Model results show that the simulated catchment sediment discharge above the alluvial fan closely follows the climate signal, but with an increase in the amplitude of response after deforestation. The important effects of sediment storage and remobilization are shown, and findings suggest that soil creep rates may be an important control on long term (>1000 years) temperate catchment sediment yield. The simulated alluvial fan shows a complex and episodic behaviour, with frequent avulsions across the fan surface. However, there appears to be no clear link between fan response and climate or land use changes suggesting that Holocene alluvial fan dynamics may be the result of phases of sediment storage and remobilization, or instabilities and thresholds within the fan itself. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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