Collaborative Research: Understanding deltas through the lens of their channel networks

海岸线上的沉积物形成了一个网络，形成了一个河流三角洲。三角洲是大量人口、宝贵港口和自然资源的家园，但它们受到海平面上升、上游水坝开发和资源勘探的威胁。对这些威胁的敏感性取决于移动水和沉积物的三角洲通道，但目前还不清楚是什么控制着这些通道的排列。本研究将使用数值模拟和现场三角洲的网络分析来测试海浪，潮汐和洪水如何影响三角洲通道的配置及其对环境变化的响应。该团队将通过夏季研讨会吸引研究生，并对他们进行跨学科方法的培训，以解决科学，工业和政策相关领域的问题。三角洲通道网络表现出复杂的模式，是理解三角洲自我维护和抵御外部扰动的关键。拟议的研究旨在研究三角洲通过透镜的三角洲通道网络通过三管齐下的方法，基于图论，数值模拟，并分析了60多个领域的三角洲不同的水文气候环境和人为影响的水平。最终目标是通过以下方式促进我们对三角洲形态动力学和对变化的反应的理解：（1）将网络属性与底层物理过程相关联，（2）提出一个delta分类框架，（3）探索delta self-该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过使用基金会的学术价值和更广泛的影响评审标准。

Sediment deposition at the coastline creates channels that spread out into a network and form a river delta. Deltas are home to large populations, valuable ports, and natural resources, but they are threatened by sea level rise, upstream dam development, and resource exploration. Sensitivity to these threats depends on the delta channels that move water and sediment, yet it is not clear what controls the arrangement of these channels. This research will use network analysis of numerically simulated and field deltas to test how ocean waves, tides, and floods influence the configuration of delta channels and their response to environmental change. The team will engage graduate students through summer workshops and train them in cross-disciplinary methods to address problems in science, industry, and policy-related fields. Delta channel networks exhibit complex patterns that are key for understanding delta self-maintenance and resilience to external perturbations. The proposed research aims to study deltas through the lens of their delta channel networks via a three-pronged approach based on graph-theory, numerical modeling, and the analysis of more than 60 field deltas of diverse hydroclimatic environments and levels of anthropogenic influence. The ultimate goal is to advance our understanding of delta morphodynamics and response to change by: (1) relating network properties to the underlying physical processes, (2) proposing a delta classification framework, and (3) exploring delta self-organization in terms of optimality principles and interpreting possible deviations.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.