Modelling desert dune fields based on discrete dynamics

Abstract

A mathematical formulation is developed to model the dynamics of sand dunes. The physical processes display strong non-linearity that has been taken into account in the model. When assessing the success of such a model in capturing physical features we monitor morphology, dune growth, dune migration and spatial patterns within a dune field. Following recent advances, the proposed model is based on a discrete lattice dynamics approach with new features taken into account which reflect physically observed mechanisms.