Goal Functions and Orientors

Ecosystems as well as the constituent elements, their respective interrelations in terms of processes and communication behave in a specific manner with respect to the long-term evolutionary process of ensuring a continuous existence. The subsequent dynamics imply a stable and sufficient supply of exergy in terms of energy, matter and information. Thus, individual species evolve in a manner that aims at increasing inputs and make the utilization of resources as efficient as possible under the given circumstances. The evolution is a result of a continuous interaction between organisms in terms of their adaptation coupled to the conditions constrained by forcing function in the environment. For the organisms, the process concentrates on two principles – organization and subsidiarity. The exterior conditions provide major adaptive problems, arising from scarce resources, variety, reliability, change and the influences of other systems. The system elements work together to ensure six respective basic reactions on those problems, referred to as basic orientors: existence, effectiveness, freedom in action, security, adaptability and coexistence. The latter features contain clear evidence of the value of cognitive processes as demonstrated through rule-based models. These so-called animats are simulating the values of the six processes to the individual level. Recent developments in ecosystem theory indicate that similar, analogous phenomena can be observed at the higher levels of the biological hierarchy, such as ecosystems and possibly also the biosphere.