Constraints are defined as factors that can limit the forager's ability to maximize the currency. In addition, the constraints of the environment are other variables that must be considered. When using OFT to model foraging behavior, organisms are said to be maximizing a variable known as the currency, such as the most food per unit time. This theory assumes that the most economically advantageous foraging pattern will be selected for in a species through natural selection. OFT is an ecological application of the optimality model. OFT helps predict the best strategy that an animal can use to achieve this goal. To maximize fitness, an animal adopts a foraging strategy that provides the most benefit (energy) for the lowest cost, maximizing the net energy gained. Although obtaining food provides the animal with energy, searching for and capturing the food require both energy and time. Optimal foraging theory ( OFT) is a behavioral ecology model that helps predict how an animal behaves when searching for food. Optimal foraging theory predicts that this bee will forage in a way that will maximize its hive's net yield of energy. Worker bees forage nectar not only for themselves, but for their whole hive community. This material is adatped from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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