Validation of Braided-Stream Models: Spatial state-space plots, self-affine scaling, and island shapes

We present a comprehensive approach for validating braided‐stream models and apply it to a specific cellular braided‐stream model. The approach involves quantitative comparison of modeled and natural braided streams in terms of two main aspects: the sequential organization of their plan patterns studied using their state‐space characteristics and the hierarchical organization of their patterns studied in the framework of self‐affine scaling. These two aspects of braided streams are complementary to each other and taken together provide a sensitive test of the validity of a model of braided streams. The simple model we examine produces patterns that are similar to those of natural braided rivers in terms of both sequential organization and self‐affine scaling. This finding supports the conclusion that the nonlinear interactions between water and sediment in the model are the primary mechanisms responsible for shaping braided rivers in nature.