4. Model extensions

4.1 Nesting and multimodal landscapes

When the functions to be optimized have several equivalent optima, classical EA converges randomly toward only one of the optima. However, in many applications, it is sometimes important to be able to detect all the optima, i.e., to do more than simply search for the optimal solution. Extensions of classical AE, modeled on the natural phenomenon of ecological niche creation, are based on the implicit or explicit management of subpopulations (or niches).

Resource sharing patterns are particularly interesting: if individuals within the same subpopulation have to share their resources, the growth of that subpopulation is limited, and when there is overpopulation, individuals tend to seek out new regions to colonize....