The natural ecosystems are complex and this complexity provides a fractal configuration to these environments that influence the biological communities dynamic and also the ecosystem processes,such as like decomposition, CO2 emission, ecosystem resilience and resistance.
Fractal Geometry makes possible to generate images very familiar to us! They are close to the organized chaos observed in nature and this is one of the main contribution of the use of fractal principles in the ecological studies.
We know that clouds don't have a perfect and smooth shape, as well as a lake isn’t exactly rounded, but for a long time ecological studies had used the traditional geometric concepts (Euclidean Geometry) with basic forms such as lines, circles and spheres. With fractal geometry we can evaluate and describe the form of a mountain with the same precision that an architect describes a building using traditional geometry
The relation of fractal geometry and chaos and the studies of Benoit Mandelbrot are synthesized in a mathematical object recently discovered and that carries his name. The Mandelbrot set, has been described as the most complex and beautiful example of order in chaos. All of these characteristics in fractal geometry result in a broad adoption in many scientific areas. Particularly in ecology fractal geometry provides the better tools to understand and describe the complexity of natural systems.
Fractal geometry is present also in many artistic expression, from traditional art to the famous pictures in art galleries. Most recently, the popularization of home computing and the availability of programming languages offered a new perspective to the artistic investigation and experimentation. The aesthetic from these artistic works shows the close relation of art, technology and science.
With fractaL the integration from these fields is developed to reach a next level of ecological studies, learning process and artistic works: the integration of statistic, synesthetic tools and digital literacy. It aims to offer a strong support for integration with other languages and tools. Many Python programmers report substantial productivity gains and feel the language encourages the development of higher quality, more maintainable code.
Synesthesia is a phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway simultaneously produces a sensation in a different one. In fractaL we can use synesthesia to evaluate and explore the environmental data through visualization and sonification.
The deep experience of users is only possible with a powerful tool and with Python, a very dynamic object-oriented programming language, fractaL makes possible to work around and transform the spreadsheet data in sounds and images.
Plots, Graphs and Tables, broadly used in ecological and environmental research, are now associated to fractal images, extensively explored in arts. A solid ecological background to art. An artistic background to science. This is fractaL!
Built up with an interdisciplinary approach. Gathering together multiple realities with the exciting dialogue between science, technology, art and learning.
