Dynamical facilitation of the ideal free distribution in nonideal populations.

ABSTRACT: The ideal free distribution (IFD) requires that individuals can accurately perceive density-dependent habitat quality, while failure to discern quality differences below a given perception threshold results in distributions approaching spatial uniformity. Here, we investigate the role of population growth in restoring a nonideal population to the IFD. We place a simple model of discrete patch choice under limits to the resolution by which patch quality is perceived and include population growth driven by that underlying quality. Our model follows the population's distribution through both breeding and dispersal seasons when perception limits differ in their likely influence. We demonstrate that populations of perception limited movers can approximate an IFD provided sufficient population g

SUBMITTER: Street GM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5838054 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature