optimal foraging theory - states that natural selection favors those most efficient
- foragers feed on prey that maximize energy return
- balance between looking for prey, hiding from predators
- might have genetic basis rather than learning (due to zebra finch behavior)
territoriality - keeping exclusive use of home range
- defense against intrusion by others
- can waste energy, expose oneself to predators
- balance between costs/benefits of defending territory
habitat - determined by resources, how well organism survives, amount of competition
- 5 major zones - salt water (70%), terrestrial (29%), freshwater, estuary (where freshwater meets saltwater), endoparisitic
- streams not connected >> easier for specialization >> more freshwater species than saltwater
Justus Van Liebig - “Law of the Minimum”
- plants need certain type/amount of nutrients
- miss an essential part >> die
Victor Shelford - principle of tolerance limits (maximum)
- too much of something can also inhibit growth
- growth occurs best under a certain range of conditions
- factors will vary seasonally, geographically, throughout life
- placed in area of stress >> some organisms increase fitness
- generalist - have wide tolerance
- specialist - have narrow tolerance
- hormesis - opposite effect in small doses than in high doses
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