Nonlinear extensions of a fractal-multifractal approach for environmental modeling

Journal Article · Wed Oct 15 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00477-008-0272-0· OSTI ID:951010

Cortis, A; Puente, C E; Sivakumar, B

We present the extension of a deterministic fractal geometric procedure aimed at representing the complexity of the spatio-temporal patterns encountered in environmental applications. The original procedure, which is based on transformations of multifractal distributions via fractal functions, is extended through the introduction of nonlinear perturbations to the underlying iterated linear maps. We demonstrate how the nonlinear perturbations generate yet a richer collection of patterns by means of various simulations that include evolutions of patterns based on changes in their parameters and in their statistical and multifractal properties. It is shown that the nonlinear extensions yield structures that closely resemble complex hydrologic temporal data sets, such as rainfall and runoff time series, and width-functions of river networks as a function of distance from the basin outlet. The implications of this nonlinear approach for environmental modeling and prediction are discussed.

• Research Organization: Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: Earth Sciences Division
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-05CH11231
• OSTI ID: 951010
• Report Number(s): LBNL-1685E
• Journal Information: Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, Journal Name: Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
FORECASTING
FRACTALS
RIVERS
RUNOFF
SIMULATION
TRANSFORMATIONS