Partial Prey Consumption by Browsers: Trees as Patches

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Abstract
(1) We hypothesize that optimal patch use models (e.g. that marginal value theorem) might be useful tools to predict the exploitation of individual trees by browsers. Consequently, we first suggest two possible gain functions from which predictions of tree use can be derived. (2) Two similar rate-maximizing models predicting optimal handling time per tree as a function of tree size were derived from the gain functions. These models were fitted by non-linear least-square regressions to data on moose feeding on deciduous trees in an experimental arena in winter. (3) As predicted, the handling time per tree increased with increasing tree size. The model predicting a linear relationship between tree size and handling time showed a slightly better fit to data than the model predicting a curvilinear relationship. (4) We conclude that optimal patch use models are expected to be useful for the analysis of the exploitation of discrete food items by browsers. One should, however, be cautious about the form of the gain function before deriving optimal patch use models since very similar gain functions can produce very different patch use predictions.

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