Optimal foraging theory

Photo was taken at Monfort Bat Cave last February 3, 2011. Tons of bats chose Monfort Cave as their habitat - I wonder where these organisms look for their food.









What is FORAGING?





According to knowledgerush, FORAGING just means looking for food.





The key to understanding animals is to unravel their basic needs. Our knowledge of animal behavior, such as foraging, could be used to identify possible areas for the reintroduction of endangered species and to manage habitat either for conservation or to minimiza the population of pest species.


Pyke (200) said that the proponents of the so called OPTIMAL FORAGING THEORY attemp to predict the behavior of animals while foraging. Here, we try to discuss the factors that influences an organism's DECISION when it comes to foraging.

1. In which habitat does an organism concentrate its foraging?

An organism, in this case, has two choices, to concentrate its foraging (1) in an area where the long term expectation of NET ENERGY INTAKE is higher OR (2) in an area where the risk of extended periods of low intake is lowest.


2. Is an organissm's choice of habitat affected only by the ENERGY INTAKE or is the organism also considering the risks of being preyed upon?

In this aspect, one could imagine an organism who is a RISK TAKER - he will take risks in an area of abundant resources. Or an organism which is CAUTIOUS that he opts to stay in a habitat of moderate or low resources just to ensure that he is not preyed upon. Given this, he has no option but save energy.


3. Should the organism decide on particular habitat, how long is it expected to stay there?

This calls for a consideration whether the organism stays in a particular habitat as long as resources are available to avoid ubproductive trips to other habitats which may not offer abundant resources. OR, should the organism go to another habitat before the resources of his current habitat are depleted.


4. What are the effects of other competing predators foraging in the same habitat?
Or we could ask, what are the effects of intraspecific competition in the foraging of a praticular organism. We can consider the 1.8 million bats roosting in Monfort Bat Cave. Are they competing with each other?


5. Most animals consume a narrower range of food types than they are morphologically capable of consuming. Hence, we need to consider the organism's diet width in order to explain his decisons on foraging.

Life on earth is like a jigsaw puzzle... but jigsaw puzzles are easily put together - life on earth is much more intertwined and very intricate.