River network pattern influence on relief-forming processes

Abstract

A method of formal description of river systems' structure is introduced, which is based on the stream order and position relative to other elements of the drainage network. Mathematical and statistic techniques are used to analyze the structural control of the valley floor profiles and to reveal the most important morphometric parameters. The relief-forming processes are proved to differ in rate and sometimes in direction within drainage basins which take different position in fluvial geomorphic structure.