Cellular automata as a Model for Dynamic Leaf Structure

Exhibitor: Nisansala Yatapanage

Supervisor: Marcus Gallagher

Research Group: Complex and Intelligent Systems

Industry Sector: Scientific / Research Services

Cellular automata is a system in which continuous processes are modelled in terms of discrete components. Leaf expansion was simulated by assigning numerical values to cell properties and defining a set of rules. These rules were set to reflect the interactions of neighbouring cells.

A software package was developed which performs the simulation of leaf growth using entered values of cell properties. The software package includes facilities for simulating situations such as the effect of an insect attack on a leaf.

The area expansion rates of known leaves were used to estimate the set of rules used in the simulation. The predicted linear expansion rates were found to fit closely with the measured expansion rates of the leaves.

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