Convergent Anthropocene Systems-of-Systems: Overcoming the Limitations of System Dynamics with Hetero-functional Graph Theory

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Naderi, Mohammad Mahdi, Harris, Megan, Ghorbanichemazkati, Ehsanoddin, Little, John C., Farid, Amro M.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Naderi, Mohammad Mahdi
Harris, Megan
Ghorbanichemazkati, Ehsanoddin
Little, John C.
Farid, Amro M.
author_facet Naderi, Mohammad Mahdi
Harris, Megan
Ghorbanichemazkati, Ehsanoddin
Little, John C.
Farid, Amro M.
contents Understanding the complexity and interdependence of systems in the Anthropocene is essential for making informed decisions about societal challenges spanning geophysical, biophysical, sociocultural, and sociotechnical domains. This paper explores the potential of Hetero-functional Graph Theory (HFGT) as a quantification tool for converting Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE), stated in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), into dynamic simulations-offering a comprehensive alternative to System Dynamics (SD) for representing interdependent systems of systems in the Anthropocene. The two approaches are compared in terms of systems thinking abstractions, methodological flexibility, and their ability to represent dynamic, multi-functional systems. Through a comparative study, the Mono Lake system is simulated in Northern California using both SD, and MBSE and HFGT, to highlight technical, conceptual and analytical differences. The simulations show equivalent results. However, MBSE and HFGT provide distinct advantages in capturing the nuances of the system through a broader set of systems thinking abstractions and in managing adaptive, multi-functional system interactions. These strengths position MBSE and HFGT as a powerful and flexible approach for representing, modeling, analyzing, and simulating heterogeneous and complex systems-of-systems in the Anthropocene.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2505_21793
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Convergent Anthropocene Systems-of-Systems: Overcoming the Limitations of System Dynamics with Hetero-functional Graph Theory
Naderi, Mohammad Mahdi
Harris, Megan
Ghorbanichemazkati, Ehsanoddin
Little, John C.
Farid, Amro M.
Systems and Control
Understanding the complexity and interdependence of systems in the Anthropocene is essential for making informed decisions about societal challenges spanning geophysical, biophysical, sociocultural, and sociotechnical domains. This paper explores the potential of Hetero-functional Graph Theory (HFGT) as a quantification tool for converting Model-based Systems Engineering (MBSE), stated in the Systems Modeling Language (SysML), into dynamic simulations-offering a comprehensive alternative to System Dynamics (SD) for representing interdependent systems of systems in the Anthropocene. The two approaches are compared in terms of systems thinking abstractions, methodological flexibility, and their ability to represent dynamic, multi-functional systems. Through a comparative study, the Mono Lake system is simulated in Northern California using both SD, and MBSE and HFGT, to highlight technical, conceptual and analytical differences. The simulations show equivalent results. However, MBSE and HFGT provide distinct advantages in capturing the nuances of the system through a broader set of systems thinking abstractions and in managing adaptive, multi-functional system interactions. These strengths position MBSE and HFGT as a powerful and flexible approach for representing, modeling, analyzing, and simulating heterogeneous and complex systems-of-systems in the Anthropocene.
title Convergent Anthropocene Systems-of-Systems: Overcoming the Limitations of System Dynamics with Hetero-functional Graph Theory
topic Systems and Control
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.21793