The effects of drought on Ngatatjara plant use: An evaluation of optimal foraging theory
The different responses of plants to drought conditions are examined in the Western Desert of Australia to demonstrate the necessity of considering plant food availability prior to optimal foraging applications involving human hunter-gatherers. The correspondence of Ngatatjara dietary breadth changes to optimal foraging predictions is explained as an adaptive response to the unpredictable Western Desert reinfall. By minimizing the time allocated to food procurement, energy-efficient foraging reduces the risk involved in the exploitation of scattered, ephemeral water sources. Futher applications of optimal foraging models to hunter-gatherers is one line of promising investigation to address behavioral variability among human foragers.
- Research Organization:
- Brown Univ., Providence, RI
- OSTI ID:
- 7009248
- Journal Information:
- Hum. Ecol.; (United States), Vol. 14:1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HUMAN POPULATIONS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
DIET
PLANTS
PROCUREMENT
RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
DESERTS
DROUGHTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FOOD
FORAGE
HARVESTING
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
RAIN
WATER RESOURCES
ANIMAL FEEDS
ARID LANDS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
AUSTRALASIA
AUSTRALIA
EFFICIENCY
POPULATIONS
RESOURCES
290400* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources
290100 - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Analysis & Modeling