In ecology, an ideal free distribution is a way in which animals distribute themselves among several patches of resources. The theory states that the number of individual animals that will aggregate in various patches is proportional to the amount of resources available in each. For example, if patch A contains twice as many resources as patch B, there will be twice as many individuals foraging in patch A as in patch B. The ideal free distribution (IFD) theory predicts that the distribution of animals among patches will minimize resource competition and maximize fitness.
The term "ideal" implies that animals are aware of each patch’s quality, and they choose to forage in the patch with the highest quality. The term "free" implies that animals are capable of moving unhindered from one patch to another. Although these assumptions are not always upheld in nature, there are still many experiments that have been performed in support of IFD, even if populations naturally deviate between patches before reaching IFD. IFD theory can still be used to analyze foraging behaviors of animals, whether those behaviors support IFD, or violate it.
Read more about Ideal Free Distribution: Assumptions and Predictions, Shortcomings
Famous quotes containing the words ideal, free and/or distribution:
“The world is bad but not without hope. It is only hopeless when you look at it from an ideal viewpoint.”
—Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)
“You want to be free and break new ground, speak your mind, fear no man, have the neighbours acknowledge that you’re a good man; and at the same time you want to be a success, make money, join the country club, get the votes and kick the other man in the teeth and off the ladder.”
—Christina Stead (1902–1983)
“The question for the country now is how to secure a more equal distribution of property among the people. There can be no republican institutions with vast masses of property permanently in a few hands, and large masses of voters without property.... Let no man get by inheritance, or by will, more than will produce at four per cent interest an income ... of fifteen thousand dollars] per year, or an estate of five hundred thousand dollars.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)