Guy Hoelzer  wrote in
news:bvrd1q$lol$1{at}darwin.ediacara.org: 

> Erosion, for example, plays a critical role in the process of optimal
> drainage system (e.g., stream/river systems that drain surface water
> from higher to lower elevations) structural modification. That is, the
> shape of streams and rivers is constantly changing, and the process of
> erosion helps to ensure that each internally generated change 
> maximizes the rate of flow.  

No, it doesn't maximimize the rate of _flow_. That would be maximized by 
straight clear channels. What I think you meant to say (I hesitate to put 
words in your mouth) is that it increases the stream network order and 
maximizes the rate of energy transformation in the stream system - the 
reference in Odum is to Leopold and Langbein, "The Concept of Entropy in 
Landscape Evolution", USGS Paper 500A, 1962.

Yours,

Bill Morse
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