Genetic algorithms, Optimization, and Evolutionary Modeling

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are general-purpose search algorithms widely employed in different fields of science and en- gineering as both optimization algorithms and scientific models of evolution. Theoretical foundations and the success in first practical applications have stimulated the study on GAs and new classes of algorithms have been proposed in the literature. In particular, multiobjective GAs are gaining the attention of the scientific community as powerful search algorithms for complex problems. Applications of GAs in geomorphology are quite recent. The first applications can be dated back to the late 1990s, whereas applications of multiobjective versions are still more recent. However, this specific application field is growing and, even if today underutilized, we anticipate it will become significantly more widespread in the next few years. This chapter provides an overview of GAs, both in their single- and multiobjective versions, and of their applications through a few meaningful examples, with the aim of providing both a starting reference point and inspiring new applications of GAs in geomorphology.