Approach Gradient is a theoretical concept that seeks to explain the formation of structures in nature. It is based on the idea that physical objects in a given environment will tend to move towards a certain direction of least resistance, as dictated by the environment. This concept has been used to explain the formation of terrain, the clustering of objects, the growth of plants, and the emergence of urban patterns.
The first formal proposal of the approach gradient concept was made by physicist Hermann Haken in 1976. Haken based his idea on the principle of minimal action, which states that the total energy of a system is minimized when the system is in equilibrium. He argued that this principle could be used to explain the formation of structures in nature, since a system in equilibrium is likely to experience minimal resistance from its environment.
The concept of approach gradient has since been used by a number of researchers to explain various phenomena in the natural world. For example, in the field of ecology, it has been used to explain the clustering of animals in a given habitat. This clustering is often observed in large herds of grazing animals, which tend to move towards the direction of least resistance, as determined by the terrain and vegetation of the area. Similarly, approach gradient has been used to explain the growth of plants in a given environment, as organisms tend to move towards areas of low resistance in order to obtain the resources they need for survival.
Approach gradient has also been used to explain the emergence of urban patterns. It has been argued that people tend to move towards areas of least resistance when they are selecting a place to live, which can result in the formation of clusters of people in certain areas. This clustering of people can affect the development of urban patterns, as people tend to build structures and services near these clusters.
In conclusion, approach gradient is a useful concept that can be used to explain the formation of structures in nature. It is based on the principle of minimal action, which states that systems tend to move towards a direction of least resistance. This concept has been used to explain the clustering of animals, the growth of plants, and the emergence of urban patterns.
References
Haken, H. (1976). Synergetics: An Introduction. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer.
Haken, H. (1986). Principles of Brain Functioning. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer.
Kerner, B. (1992). The Physics of Traffic. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer.
Kleiber, M. (1997). The Growth of Biological Thought. Harvard University Press.
Prigogine, I. (1980). From Being to Becoming. San Francisco: Freeman.
Rosenfeld, E., & Yano, S. (Eds.). (2009). Urban Clusters and Clustering: A Theoretical Perspective. Singapore: World Scientific.