Nivation cirques and rivers as self-organization systems

Abstract

The author uses the system - approach to analyze some privation and erosional landforms. Structures of the feedbacks are described which control the self-organization of natural systems (i. e. increase in regularity and decrease in variability-entropy). In the case of the privation cirques the self-organization means evolution from various initial hollows towards regular chair-like notches and further on - towards a privation plateau. The self-organization of a fluvial system manifests itself in development of concave channel profile and regular meanders pattern; some channel forms (ridges) also develop; the relief of the drainage basin decreases. Positive feedback within a system results in more resistance to external noises, That is caused by negative feedbacks strengthening.

Three principles are discussed co-existing in fluvial systems hierarchy, that are functional, territorial and temporal, each of them having its own feedback system and spectrum of noises.