Investigation of the relationship between fractal dimensions of the drainage networks and their morphometric properties (Case Study, Yazd-Ardakan Basin)

The drainage networks as the most prominent landscapes on earth are basis of many hydrological and geomorphological models. Due to the geomorphological properties of the region, the drainage network shows its own fractal properties that are saved as code in it. In fact, drainage networks are fractal phenomena with fractal behavior. Fractal dimension is a parameter used to indicate the complexity of data. The analysis of fractal dimensions of drainage networks and their morphometric properties facilitate the perdition of their behavior in the future. This paper focuses on the relationship between fractal dimensions of drainage networks and their morphometric properties of drainage networks in Yazd- Ardakan basin. Therefore, through an analysis of fractal dimension of drainage networks and its comparison with morphometric properties, the fractal behavior of these drainage networks are investigated. Results showed Pck and Ktl formations indicate highest and lowest fractal dimension respectively. The results indicated a significant relationship between fractal dimensions of drainage networks and morphometric properties. In this research, a positive relationship was observed between morphometric parameters and fractal dimension, so that the greatest correlation coefficient was found between the fractal dimension and the drainage density (0.99).