REGION
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(2) |
| ID | ◀ 2800 ▶ |
| Object type | General information |
An area in the field of a state-determined system in which the lines of behavior from all points remain located (after ASHBY, 1960, p.48).
According to ASHBY such a region is stable. From his comments and developments, it appaers that “region” is practically a synonym of “basin” in topology.
He explains, for example that: “If a line of behavior is re-entrant to itself, the system undergoes a recurrent cycle. If the cycle is wholly contained in a given region, and the lines of behavior lead into the cycle, the cycle is stable” (p.49).
The region model corresponds more or less to the field concept. It has a practical value in any situation where a group or population (or whatever kind) is wandering in an environment with resources variable in space and in time .
See also
Foraging theory, Parasitism, Symbiosis, Value Theorem (Marginal)