Environment

heterogeneity
time units between patches

Patch Dynamics

exponential decay

Forager Strategy

Marginal Value Theorem:
Leave a patch when the marginal rate of return equals the average rate for the environment.
dE/dt = E̅/T̅
Optimal when: marginal gain = average gain rate

Foraging Arena

Rich Patch
Medium Patch
Depleted Patch
Forager

Gain Curve & MVT Solution

Cumulative Gain
Optimal Tangent

Marginal Rate of Return

Patch Residence Times

Foraging Efficiency Over Time

Total Time
0
Total Gain
0.0
Avg Rate
0.00
Patches Visited
0
Avg Residence
0.0
MVT Optimal
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Strategy Comparison