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.

Table of Contents:
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.

About the Author :
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.

Review :
'This book was worth the wait! What started as a description of a pioneer modelling effort thirty years ago ended up as a comprehensive treatise on soil and landscape evolution enriched by the experience of Dr Willgoose. Hydrologists and geomorphologists interested in a quantitative understanding of what goes on the critical surface zone of the geosphere must read this book.' Rafael L. Bras, Georgia Institute of Technology 'If it moves, model it! There is no better synthesis of all the various elements in landscapes and soil than this lifetime compilation in which Willgoose examines the many mechanisms operating in the landscape, at scales from continental tectonics down to the soil profile, demonstrating how he and others have built them into functional, mutually consistent and inter-connecting models. Its greatest strengths lie in the incorporation of soil processes - physical breakdown, mixing and weathering; and in how principles and models have been applied to the management of degrading spoil heaps.' Mike Kirkby, University of Leeds 'An outstanding synthesis that thoroughly addresses both the theoretical basis and practical application of landscape evolution modelling - a benchmark of its kind.' Stuart Lane, Université de Lausanne