scholarly journals A New Application for the Optimal Foraging Theory: The Extraction of Medicinal Plants

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gustavo Taboada Soldati ◽  
Ulysses Paulino de Albuquerque
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Extraction Process ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
Tannin Content ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Time And Energy ◽  
Selection Of

The Optimal Foraging Theory was used to identify possible patterns in bark extraction and the selective cutting ofAnadenanthera colubrina(Angico), a medicinal plant. The hypotheses were built on two approaches: selection of collection place and bark exploitation occurrence in only one of these resource areas. The results suggest that the distance that must be traveled to reach each gathering site determines the extent of the extraction process, showing that people minimize the time and energy spent inA. colubrinacollection. The availability of each site appears not to influence the operation. The resource amount was the optimized variable for bark extraction, which was analyzed in only one collection zone. In contrast to the phenomenon of collection place selection, the distance between angico individuals, the management period, and the tannin content did not affect bark extraction. This study also discusses how certain cultural aspects influence the extraction of angico.

Temporal dynamics in the foraging decisions of large herbivores

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Fortin ◽  
Jerod A. Merkle ◽  
Marie Sigaud ◽  
Seth G. Cherry ◽  
Sabrina Plante ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
Bison Bison ◽  
Intake Rate ◽  
Large Herbivores ◽  
Foraging Decisions ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Selection Of

The foraging decisions involved in acquiring a meal can have an impact on an animal’s spatial distribution, as well as affect other animal species and plant communities. Thus, understanding how the foraging process varies over space and time has broad ecological implications, and optimal foraging theory can be used to identify key factors controlling foraging decisions. Optimality models are based on currencies, options and constraints. Using examples from research on free-ranging bison (Bison bison), we show how variations in these model elements can yield strong spatio-temporal variation in expected foraging decisions. First, we present a simple optimal foraging model to investigate the temporal scale of foraging decisions. On the basis of this model, we identify the foraging currency and demonstrate that such a simple model can be successful at predicting animal distribution across ecosystems. We then modify the model by changing (1) the forager’s option, from the selection of individual plants to the selection of food bites that may include more than one plant species, (2) its constraints, from being omniscient to having incomplete information of resource quality and distribution and (3) its currency, from the maximisation of energy intake rate (E) to the maximisation of the ratio between E and mortality risk (u).We also show that, where the maximisation of E fails, the maximisation of E/u can explain the circadian rhythm in the diet and movements of bison. Simple optimal foraging-theory models thus can explain changes in dietary choice of bison within a foraging patch and during the course of a day.

Optimal foraging: theory and experiment

Nature ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 268 (5621) ◽  
pp. 583-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Krebs
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Foraging ◽  
Optimal Foraging Theory ◽  
Foraging Theory ◽  
Theory And Experiment
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