Optimal foraging area: size and allocation of search effort.

Abstract A model is derived for the optimal spatial allocation of foraging effort for an animal returning with food to a central place in a uniform habitat. The forager is assumed to maximize its yield of food during a given period. Foraging effort is expended on search for food, and on transportation to the central place. It is shown that the allocation of search has been optimal if and only if the “marginal cost” of additional food is equal throughout the foraging area when the period has elapsed. The model is used to predict the optimal area radius and allocation of search time. With realistic parameter values, the optimal time per unit area roughly decreases linearly with the distance from the central place. The influence of food density and forager characteristics is examined.

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