Scientific publications

One of the foraging theory problems is choosing the most suitable patch as a source of energy (food) resources for the population. A promising approach to study this problem is based on the Boltzmann distribution. In statistical physics, the Boltzmann distribution describes the probability of a system falling into a particular energy state. Purpose: The development of this approach in order to solve the patch selection problem. The solution based on the utility functions should be used to construct the probability distribution. Methods: Construction and analysis of the patch utility function which takes into account the time and population movement. Based on utility functions, domains are built which characterize the probability of choosing a patch. Boltzmann distribution is used to specify the patch selection probabilities. Results: A utility function depending on time is proposed and analyzed. A measure of the population’s awareness of the patch suitability is proposed, which depends on the distance to the patch at a given time. The utility function properties have been investigated. The influence of its information component on the patch selection process is analyzed. The patches are classified as “bad” or “good” according to the amount of food resources they contain. The study showed that a population may choose a bad patch on a certain time interval. Preferential utility domains are constructed and their kinematics is analyzed. Particular relevance: The results obtained allow you to forecast the behavior of a population choosing a suitable patch.