Type of Submission
Poster
Keywords
Environmental science, ecology, biology, wildlife study, optimal foraging theory, research
Proposal
The objective of this study was to observe optimal foraging theory in Ohio wildlife in an agricultural environment. Optimal foraging theory predicts how individuals weigh handling time and safety with the energy gained from food. This was tested by presenting food with varying safety and accessibility to monitor preferences. Feeding stations were monitored by trail cameras to measure time spent at each location. The animals were offered the choice of feeding in an open field or edge forest habitat, as well as the choice between easily accessible food left in the open, and harder to access food stuffed in a PVC pipe. We found that the animals of the community followed optimal foraging patterns based on food accessibility. Deer, the most prevalent species throughout this study, were studied independently and did not show adherence to predicted accessibility foraging patterns. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither group showed a preference for the edge forest, instead preferring to forage in the field.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Copyright
© 2025 Kit G. Lason. All rights reserved.
Publication Date
2-26-2025
Oh Deer... Optimal Foraging Theory!
The objective of this study was to observe optimal foraging theory in Ohio wildlife in an agricultural environment. Optimal foraging theory predicts how individuals weigh handling time and safety with the energy gained from food. This was tested by presenting food with varying safety and accessibility to monitor preferences. Feeding stations were monitored by trail cameras to measure time spent at each location. The animals were offered the choice of feeding in an open field or edge forest habitat, as well as the choice between easily accessible food left in the open, and harder to access food stuffed in a PVC pipe. We found that the animals of the community followed optimal foraging patterns based on food accessibility. Deer, the most prevalent species throughout this study, were studied independently and did not show adherence to predicted accessibility foraging patterns. Contrary to our hypothesis, neither group showed a preference for the edge forest, instead preferring to forage in the field.
