Coupled Map Lattices
Grids of simple dynamical units, each influencing its neighbours, used to study space and time together.
Why it matters now
They are the minimal model of a landscape in motion: fire spreading through fuel, disease moving through herds, drought propagating across a basin. Because they are cheap to run at very high resolution, they are the workhorse behind wildfire spread prediction and epidemic containment planning.
Where this is happening on Earth
- North AmericaWildfire spread modelling across the western United States and CanadaLattice models updated hourly during fire season to direct crews and evacuations.
- EuropeMediterranean fire risk grids, Portugal, Spain, GreeceCoupled cell models that guide fuel-break placement before each summer.
- AfricaRift Valley fever spread modelling across East AfricaLattice transmission models linking rainfall, mosquitoes, and livestock movement.
- AsiaPaddy pest dispersal models across the Yangtze and Mekong deltasNeighbour-coupled grids predicting where planthopper outbreaks will arrive next.
- OceaniaFuel load and fire propagation modelling in Australian eucalypt forestSpatial models informing where cultural and prescribed burning is placed.
The idea itself
The encyclopedia entry first, then live searches at journals and magazines that keep returning current work on this specific idea.
Current reporting from around the world
Standing feeds at reputable periodicals. These stay fresh on their own, which is why they are here instead of a list of articles that would be out of date within a season.