Initial State Sensitivity

Initial state sensitivity is the concept that small differences in the starting conditions of a system can lead to vastly different outcomes over time. This means that, in complex systems like weather patterns or ecosystems, tiny variations at the beginning can significantly influence what the system looks like later. Recognizing this sensitivity helps us understand why precise long-term predictions are challenging, because even minute inaccuracies in initial measurements can cause large discrepancies in future forecasts.