How might sediment connectivity change in space and time?

Abstract

Abstract Many authors focus on the concept of sediment connectivity to predict the sedimentary signal delivered at catchment outlets. In this framework, the sedimentary signal is seen as an emergent aggregation of local links and interactions. The challenge is then to open black boxes that remain within a sediment cascade, which requires both accurate geomorphic investigations in the field (reconstruction of sequences of geomorphic evolution and description of sediment routes) and the development of tools dedicated to the modeling of sediment cascades. On the basis of study cases in various environmental regimes (high‐energy mountainous environment and agricultural lowland catchments), in this paper, we (a) exhibit some spatial and temporal paradoxes in terms of sediment delivery and (b) develop various modeling procedures to test some hypothesis of interpretations. These modeling approaches explore different components of sediment connectivity at the catchment scale, including graph theory, agent‐based modeling, and differential equations. Each protocol is chosen according to the scientific objective and how the geomorphological system is simplified. Collectively, the results show that connectivity is an efficient conceptual framework with which to predict how a sediment cascade may transmit (or not) a perturbation throughout the system, including local perturbations (local sediment input, removal of a reservoir, etc.) and perturbations due to external‐boundary forces.