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A universal transition in the robustness of evolving open systems
11] Department of Applied Physics, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656 Japan [2] JST CREST, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 332-0012, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|February 14, 2014
Summary
Complex systems can grow in structure when new elements are added, but only if the elements have a moderate number of interactions. This finding is crucial for understanding open, complex systems like organisms and ecosystems.
Area of Science:
- Complex systems science
- Theoretical biology
- Ecology
- Sociology
Background:
- Understanding the growth and complexity of open systems is fundamental across scientific disciplines.
- Real-world systems like organisms, ecosystems, and social structures exhibit complex interactions and growth dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the conditions under which complex systems composed of interacting elements can increase in structural complexity.
- To determine the role of element interaction frequency in system growth.
Main Methods:
- Development and analysis of a simplified theoretical model.
- Simulation of system dynamics with varying numbers of interacting elements.
Main Results:
- System growth is contingent upon a moderate average number of interactions per element.
- Increased interactions enhance individual element robustness but amplify the system-wide impact of element loss.
- A balance between robustness and interconnectedness dictates system scalability.
Conclusions:
- The structural complexity of open, interacting systems can grow, but only under specific conditions of element interaction.
- Moderate interaction levels are optimal for system growth, balancing individual resilience with collective stability.
- Findings provide insights into the evolution and stability of biological, ecological, and social systems.
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