Testing Issues of Foraging and Flocking Behavior

 

Christopher Smith

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1992, Volume 13

Abstract

Students foraging for 100 pieces of macaroni in 100 square feet where the daily food requirement is 5 pieces of macaroni, days are 1 minute long, and winters are 12 days long provide data that simulate survival statistics for populations using nonrenewed resources. Food density, food color, habitat vegetation density, forager experience, and level of forager competition are changed to simulate other environmental variables. Different food for different foragers and a population of predators on the foragers are added to simulate selection for mixed-species foraging flocks.

Keywords:  foraging activity, protective coloration, flocking, disruptive competition

University of Wyoming, Laramie (1991)