A model of resource renewal and depletion: Applications to the distribution and abundance of nectar in flowers (Q1100144)

This paper develops a model of resource dynamics in a fine-grained patchy environment. The resource abundance of a patch is assumed to be dependent on two processes: renewal, a property of the environment and resource concerned, and depletion by a forager to a fixed minimum density. The modelling procedure is specifically applied to animals exploiting nectar in flowers although it may be more generally applicable. Each flower is considered to be a separate patch. The model enables us to predict the way in which the mean and standard deviation of nectar content varies with foraging intensity, and time (diurnal patterns). Factors affecting the relationship between the mean and standard deviation of flower nectar content are discussed. Diurnal variations in the mean and standard deviation of flower nectar content are emphasized. Data on sunbirds Nectarina spp. foraging on nectar in L. nepetifolia flowers [\textit{F. B. Gill} and \textit{L. L. Wolf}, Ecology 58, 1284-1296 (1977)] is used to test aspects of the model.