Lithologic controls on landscape dynamics and aquatic species evolution in post-orogenic mountains

- Erodibility associated with rock-type varies by >5 in the southeastern U.S.
- The Upper Tennessee River basin records ∼150 m of base level fall at 9 ± 3 Ma.
- Base level fall was the result of regional-scale river capture event.
- Drainage reorganization was triggered by erosion of rocks of variable erodibility.
- Variable erodibility ensures dynamic landscape evolution in decaying orogens.