Wonders of Planet Earth: Complexity and Order in Earth Systems

Much of the climate, weather and landscape of the earth is mediated by the ever present water. This talk explores the non-linearities of hydrologic processes which commonly lead to chaotic-like behavior yet beautifully organized systems. Land-atmosphere interactions are discussed first. The dynamic impact on the atmosphere and climate of land surface conditions like soil moisture and vegetation are illustrated. The ideas of multiple equilibria in vegetation and soil moisture, and of maximum evaporation at all times, are discussed. Self organization in landscape forms are the next topic. Organization in geometry and in surface texture of the river basin is achieved jointly and is the result of highly nonlinear phenomena.