Which process limits the formation of mature braided streams on steep alluvial fans in arid climates?

💡 Explanation

When alluvial fans have steep gradients, high flow competence means the entrainment threshold of bed material must be overcome, disrupting channel formation due to lack of selective sorting because sediments of all sizes can be moved. Therefore, braided streams struggle to mature, rather than stratified layers forming from selective sorting, stabilization by plants that don't thrive in arid climate, or reduced infiltration by cementation.

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