Breckling, Broder and Reuter, Hauke ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7751-9244 (2025) Cellular Automata – The Modeling Concept and its Ecological Application. Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences . DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21964-1.00037-9.

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Abstract

Cellular automata (CA) are a modeling approach that was initially developed and applied for complex interactions in physics. Later, it became applied in various other disciplines to simulate spatially extended processes. In ecology, CA are currently one of the most frequently used approaches to represent spatial dynamics. Here, we summarize the background and origin of CA developments. The components cellular automata consist of are explained, and influential ecological applications are outlined. Some of them have a mainly conceptual, didactic purpose, while others are productive in research to gain new insight in complex spatio-temporal ecological dynamics. Typical patterns that originate in ecological processes modeled with cellular automata are explained. Finally, an outlook on aspects in current developments is given on structural extensions and connections to other approaches in integrated modeling.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	PA4
Research affiliation:	Spatial Ecology and Interactions
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-21964-1.00037-9
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2026 08:08
Last Modified:	08 Jun 2026 08:08
URI:	https://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/6228

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