Complex Response: An environmental reaction to change that occurs at multiple levels to multiple objects, and can induce a chain reaction of responses to a single initial change.
The reaction to a change at multiple, and possibly unforeseen, levels. This could include a chain reaction of responses to a single initial change, resulting in a complex set of results, which in turn, could lead to more, and again possibly unforeseen, change. Succinctly, it is akin to the butterfly effect: one small event (change) can cascade through a given system creating new agents of change, and operating at several levels.
The term complex response in most commonly used in fluvial geomorphology, or the study of river systems and changes within those systems.
Famous quotes containing the words complex and/or response:
“All of life and human relations have become so incomprehensibly complex that, when you think about it, it becomes terrifying and your heart stands still.”
—Anton Pavlovich Chekhov (1860–1904)
“Eyes seeking the response of eyes
Bring out the stars, bring out the flowers,
Thus concentrating earth and skies
So none need be afraid of size.
All revelation has been ours.”
—Robert Frost (1874–1963)