PARTIAL PREY CONSUMPTION BY BROWSERS - TREES AS PATCHES

Optimal patch use models might be useful tools to predict the exploitation of individual trees by browsers. Two possible gain functions from which predictions of tree use can be derived are suggested. 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 to data on moose Alces alces feeding on deciduous trees in an experimental arena in winter. 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. -from Authors