Foraging in complex environments: When prey availability varies over time and space

Gary E. Belovsky, Mark E. Ritchie, Jeff Moorehead

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

An optimal foraging model is presented which combines simultaneous and nonsimultaneous modes of search for food. This model is more complex than those in the literature which are constructed using one search mode exclusively. Solutions to this foraging model lead to diets which are seldom composed of a single food or of foods in proportion to their abundance in the environment. Therefore, the most commonly cited qualitative conclusions of optimal foraging theory are not adequate to explain foraging choices under the range of probable search modes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)144-160
Number of pages17
JournalTheoretical Population Biology
Volume36
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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