Modelling Landscape Evolution

Abstract

This chapter reviews the development, application and validity of landscape-evolution or surface-process models. It discusses the construction of landscape-evolution models and the philosophy underlying them. It also describes the prime ingredients of such models: the numerical algorithms describing different geomorphic processes. The chapter subsequently discusses different attempts at, and approaches to, model validation and calibration. It reviews the coupling of surface process models to other numerical models, in particular those predicting tectonic motions in the crust and lithosphere, as well as a number of studies applying landscape-evolution models to specific geomorphic/tectonic contexts. The chapter concludes with a brief perspective of where the field stands today and what directions might be taken in the future. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.