| Abstract: | Within a landform, the channelized water path from any point to the corresponding outlet is split into successive components within the Strahler ordering scheme. The probability density functions (pdf) of the length L of the whole channelized path and of the lengths of the components are studied as multi‐level structural functions. We have considered a granitic area and studied both its main basin and the set of its 48 constituent basins. With respect to the main basin, the pdf of the component lengths exhibit a strong scaling property, except for the highest orders, due to a hierarchical constraint; hence, the pdf of sum L has no particular shape. We have nevertheless identified an underlying structural pattern at particular infra‐ and supra‐basin levels, where the hierarchical constraint is weaker. This identification process entails noting structurally emerging patterns based on multi‐level variables and distributions, which satisfy the general self‐similarity of networks. The fairly good fit of an analytical gamma law with most of these emerging patterns can prove to be a positive step towards both a general modelling approach to the geomorphometric functions and a stronger geomorphological basement of hydrological transfer functions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. |
