The Optimal Foraging Theory

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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.

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