The Optimal Foraging Theory
Abstract.Ý The theory of optimal foraging and its relation to central
foraging was examined by using the beaver as a modelÝ (summarizes the
Introduction). Beaver food choice was examined by noting the species
of woody vegetation, status (chewed vs. not-chewed), distance from the
water, and circumference of trees near a beaver pond in North Carolina
(summarizes the Methods).Ý Beavers avoided certain species of trees
and preferred trees that were close to the water.Ý No preference for
tree circumference was noted (summarizes the Results).Ý These data
suggest that beaver food choice concurs with the optimal foraging
theory (summarizes the Discussion). = This abstract is a mini-version
of the entire paper. It summarizes each section of the report in
chronological order.
Introduction
In this lab, we explore the theory of optimal foraging and the theory
of central place foraging using beavers as the model animal.Ý=
Identifies the scientific concept which forms the learning context for
the lab. Foraging refers to the mammalian behavior associated with
searching for food.ÝÝ The optimal foraging theory assumes that animals
feed in a way that maximizes their net rate of energy intake per unit
time (Pyke et al. 1977).Ý An animal may either maximize its daily
energy intake (energy maximizer) or minimize the time spent feeding
(time minimizer) in order to meet minimum requirements.Ý Herbivores
commonly behave as energy maximizers (Belovsky 1986) and accomplish
this maximizing behavior by choosing food that is of high quality and
has low-search and low-handling time (Pyke et al. 1977).Ý
The central place th...
... middle of paper ...
...tement of possible sources of error.
Conclusion
The purpose of this lab was to learn about the optimal foraging theory
by measuring tree selection in beavers.Ý We now know that the optimal
foraging theory allows us to predict food-seeking behavior in beavers
with respect to distance from their central place and, to a certain
extent, to variations in tree species.Ý We also learned that foraging
behaviors and food selection is not always straightforward.Ý For
instance, beavers selected large branches at any distance from the
water even though cutting large branches may increase energy
requirements.Ý There seems to be a fine line between energy intake and
energy expenditure in beavers that is not so easily predicted by any
given theory.Ý= The conclusion restates the purpose and describes what
the students learned.
Williams, A. B. (1936). The composition and dynamics of a beech-maple climax community. Ecological monographs, 6(3), 317-408.
In 1927, Charles Elton took niche theory a step further and included food. He defined the niche of an animal as its place in the biotic environment and its relations to food and enemies (Elton, 1927). Grinnell also wondered if food was a limiting factor to the California Thrasher’s niche, but since the bird is omnivorous, it could find food in other habitats such as a forest floor or a meadow. There had to be other factors that restricted the bird to the chaparral bushes (Grinnel, 1917). Elton believes that the niche of an animal can be defined by its size and its food habits. It is important to study niches because it enables ecologists to see how different animal communities may resemble each other in the essentials of organization (Elton, 1927). For example, in a forest there could be a niche of owls that feeds on small animals such as rats. This same carnivore niche is filled with kestrels in the open grasslands. This carnivore niche is then dependent on the small animals in the herbivore niche (Elton, 1927). Hutchinson also discusses niche theory in his “Concluding Remarks” paper. His theory seems to combine some of the ideas
−→ C = 2 −→ r 2 (14) where components of −→ a are linearly decreased from 2 to 0 over the course of iterations and r 1 , r2 are random vectors in [0, 1]. The hunt is usually guided by the alpha. The beta and delta might also participate in hunting occasionally. In order to mathematically simulate the hunting behavior of grey wolves, the alpha (best candidate solution) beta, and delta are assumed to have better knowledge about the potential location of prey. The first three best solutions obtained so far and oblige the other search agents (including the omegas) to update their positions according to the position of the best search agents.
...he Keystone Megaherbivore theory uses evidence from extant African large herbivores to suggest that the loss of a (352
Deborah L. Duffy, Yuying Hsu, James A. Serpell ,Applied Animal Behavior Science - 1 December 2008 (Vol. 114, Issue 3, Pages 441-460, DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2008.04.006)
middle of paper ... ... The Web. 28 July 2011. http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.showFile&rep=file&fil=SMURF_otter.pdf. Community Ecology.
Central to the very existence of a hunting and gathering society is the daily need to secure anew these physiological needs. This i...
The book I read was titled Prey. It was written by Michael Crichton, who has written many other knowledgeable books. This book is all based around the idea of human curiosity and carelessness. The book has an insert where Michael talks about how these concerns addressed in the book are concerns in real life. The book talks about how nanoparticles accidently let into the air caused some unexpected and deadly consequences. The topic of the book affects me because it gave me some insight on what it was like to deal with situations like that. Also, I hope it allows everyone who reads it to see that we need to be more careful and think of long term results instead of just short term fixes.
In an article titled “Energy Digestibility of Giant Pandas on Bamboo-Only and on Supplemented Diets”, the goal of this study was to figure out the energy digestibility of bamboo by giant pandas using digestibility trials and through analysis using bomb calorimetry. An energy budget is a numerical statement that measures the amount of energy collected and the placement of the energy to various functions. Energy budgets can be described using the equation: E=M+P+U+F (where E is the total amount of energy consumed, M is the energy used for maintenance and activity, P is the energy used for production (which includes growth and reproduction), U is the energy lost in urine, and F is the energy lost in feces.). The total energy consumed minus the energy lost in feces is the digestible energy and shows the ability of the digestive system to process consumed food.
There is a wide variety of animals within the deciduous forest. Mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and microorganisms can all be found in the forest, some of the most common animals found are bears, deer, elk, squirrels, skunks and wood mice. Due to vast hunting seasons deer and elk within this biome have become near extinct. Animals migrate and hibernate to adapt to the climates of the deciduous forest, many birds will migrate to better weather and most mammals will hibernate during the months were food is limited. Another behavioural adaptation some animals have learned is storing berries and nuts to last the limited food times. They use the cold weather as almost a fridge because the cold climate helps preserve the berries and nuts for long periods of time.
...his builds a relationship between the two causing the predator to consume its meat without looking away (Pollan 307). This causes that person to no want to know what they are eating because people are used to not knowing what they are eating.
...e. "A Hypothesis to Explain the Role of Meat-Eating in Human Evolution." Www.cnr.berkely.edu. 4 Feb. 2001. Web. .
In connection to Bronfenbrenner Ecological System Theory the assistive technology usage, gives children with disabilities a developing environment. Urie talks about how the environment plays a major role in children development, in special education the environment must be accessible for children. The Ecological System Theory is the complex “layers” of environment, each having an effect on a child’s development (Bronfenbrenner, 1990). In regrades to the topic, the teacher should know how to appropriately assess children with disability while the child is in school environment. Children spend more time in school then home, so it is very important for the teacher to care, and nurture the child just as there parent would. In special education
The. Pollan, Michael. A. The Omnivore's Dilemma. N. p. : Penguin Books, 2006.
order of influence an environment has on someone is from furthest to closest (1979). With that in