Modelling desert dune fields based on discrete dynamics

Abstract

A mathematical formulation is developed to model the dynamics of sand dunes. The physical processes display strong non‐linearity that has been taken into account in the model. When assessing the success of such a model in capturing physical features we monitor morphology, dune growth, dune migration and spatial patterns within a dune field. Following recent advances, the proposed model is based on a discrete lattice dynamics approach with new features taken into account which reflect physically observed mechanisms.