3.2 Spatial patterns of scaling across basins
In contrast to relatively similar scaling relationships by HEF quantile
observed in Figure 2, spatial arrangement of scaling behaviors differed
notably between the two study basins (Figure 3). Uncertain relationships
predominantly occurred for smaller stream reaches (with less cumulative
HEF) in the lower-elevation portions of each catchment (Figure 3, Figure
S1), and was more widespread across the majority of the YRB, but largely
present near the main stem in the WRB (Figure 3). No Sublinear scaling
was observed in WRB, while reaches with Sublinear scaling in the YRB
were primarily located in the higher-elevation headwaters (Figure S1).
Linear scaling in the YRB was limited to higher-elevation reaches, but
distributed fairly widely across the WRB (Figure 3). Super-linear
scaling occurred primarily along the main stem in YRB, but largely in
the forested headwaters in WRB (Figure 3). Across each basin, the WRB
transitioned from Super-linear in headwaters through Linear into
Uncertain for tributaries near the main-stem, while the YRB transitioned
from a mix of Super-linear, Linear, and Sublinear to Uncertain, and both
main-stems were consistently Super-linear.