what is “allometric chenge” in geomorphology?
Allometry is the study of the relative rates of change of two variables of a system. In the study of landforms, or the processes acting upon them, the power function Y = a Xb is useful for correlating changes in variables. Allometric analysis includes the study of dynamic interrelations during geomorphic history, or the static interrelations at a given time. Such analyses may include aspects of geomorphic open systems that are tending toward a steady state, have attained a steady state, or do not tend toward a steady state. The highly flexible allometric model can be used to demonstrate adjustment between interdependent variables of hillslopes, streams, and depositional environments. It is highly unlikely that geomorphic steady states exist, because the dependent variables of a geomorphic open system cannot attain a time-independent state where the independent variables do not remain constant. Independent variables, such as climate, uplift, base level, erodibility of surficial material
