Sensors are selected from a sensor network for tracking of at least one target. The sensors are selected using a genetic algorithm construct having n chromosomes, wherein each chromosome represents one sensor, defining a fitness function based on desired attributes of the tracking, selecting one or more of the individuals for inclusion in an initial population, executing a genetic algorithm on the initial population until defined convergence criteria are met, wherein execution of the genetic algorithm has the steps of choosing the fittest individual from the population, choosing random individuals from the population and creating offspring from the fittest and randomly chosen individuals. In one embodiment, only i chromosomes are mutated during any one mutation, wherein i has a value of from 2 to n-1.