Abstract
The relationship between sizes of trees cut by beavers and distances from the borders of their ponds was examined at three sites in central Massachusetts. For most tree genera, the beavers cut a smaller range of sizes far from shore than close to shore, and relatively more small trees and fewer large trees at greater distances. The second of these results differs from the pattern of preference found in other studies in which predators were much larger than their prey, unlike this case of beavers feeding on trees. Both kinds of results are consistent with an optimal foraging model of size—distance relations in which pursuit or provisioning time depends on size of prey as well as distance (Schoener 1979).
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Claims 4
Claim · model-written summary
For most tree genera, the range of sizes cut by beavers was smaller far from shore.
Verbatim
e0“For most tree genera, the beavers cut a smaller range of sizes far from shore than close to shore”
Claim · model-written summary
At greater distances, beavers cut relatively more small trees.
Verbatim
e0“relatively more small trees and fewer large trees at greater distances”
e1“trees cut by beavers”
Claim · model-written summary
At greater distances, beavers cut relatively fewer large trees.
Verbatim
e0“relatively more small trees and fewer large trees at greater distances”
e1“trees cut by beavers”
Claim · model-written summary
Both patterns were consistent with an optimal foraging model in which time depends on prey size and distance.
- Taxon
- treese1
- Interactor
- beaversCastoridaee1herbivore
- Outcome
- size—distance relationse0
- Qualifier
- pursuit or provisioning time depends on size of prey as well as distancee0
Verbatim
e0“Both kinds of results are consistent with an optimal foraging model of size—distance relations in which pursuit or provisioning time depends on size of prey as well as distance”
e1“sizes of trees cut by beavers”