Klingen are small, narrow, steep V-shaped valleys formed by the erosive forces of water and suspended abrasive particles, gravel and pebbles. They are usually side valleys without a discernible valley floor that lead into a main valley. Further incision through ablation and headward erosion is mainly caused by the waters of small, steep, fast flowing, streams or becks and their processes are still visible today. Erosion, sedimentation and transport are mutually dependent. The term klinge is German and is used to refer to European stream landforms, especially in southern Germany and eastern France.