Avian habitat selection in space and time: Connecting individual behaviours to population patterns

个体在不同情况下的行为差异对于理解种群生态学至关重要。同样，忽视密度依赖和种群过程对动物行为的影响，限制了我们理解为什么动物选择特定的栖息地元素的能力。为了深入了解为什么动物选择一个栖息地元素而不是另一个栖息地元素，需要关于栖息地元素内发生的生物过程以及这种过程如何在空间尺度上有所不同的信息。生态学家早就认识到最佳觅食、Fretwell的理想栖息地选择的行为模型和密度依赖在种群生态学中的重要性之间的联系。然而，证明这些联系的实证检验仍然有限。我的研究计划集中在使用经验测试和计算机模拟工具来建立这些联系，以及使用这些理论来改进保护决策。在这份提案中，我的重点是：

Variation in behaviour among individuals in different situations is crucial to understanding population ecology. Similarly, ignoring the effects of density-dependence and population processes on animal behaviour limits our ability to understand why animals select particular habitat elements. To gain insight into why animals select one habitat element over another requires information on the biotic processes occurring within habitat elements and how this differs across spatial scales. Ecologists have long recognized the connections between optimal foraging, Fretwell's behavioural models of ideal habitat selection, and the importance of density-dependence in population ecology. However, empirical tests that demonstrate these connections remain limited. My research program is centered on using empirical tests and computer simulation tools to make these connections, as well as using these theories to improve conservation decision making. In this proposal I focus on: