A simple individual model for simulating weight gain dynamics in response to intake rate and daily behavior
Authored by Simoy Maria Veronica
Date Published: 2011
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2010.10.028
Sponsors:
National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET)
Platforms:
No platforms listed
Model Documentation:
Other Narrative
Flow charts
Mathematical description
Model Code URLs:
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Abstract
It is often necessary to estimate the weight that an individual may be
capable of gaining depending on its degree of activity. A simple
individual-based model was developed for studying the dynamics of weight
in terms of daily behavior and ingestion rate. It was based on the
balance between the individual's energy intake and the cost of its daily
activities. Costs depend on the weight of the individual and the
photoperiod, as well as on the time spent on each activity. Different
combinations of ingestion rate, individual's weight, photoperiod length, and time assigned to different activities were used for simulating the
weight dynamics, taking the species Rhea americana as a study case.
Estimations of energetic costs of the activities were obtained from
specialized literature. Using different photoperiods and individual
behaviors, the model yields field metabolic rate (FMR) values in
agreement with those obtained from direct measurements for other
omnivorous bird species. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Tags
Water
mammals
Energy
Communities
Bioenergetics model
Field metabolic-rate
Large bird
Requirements
Greater rheas
Ostriches