Certainty and integration of options in animal movement. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Williams, Hannah J.; Safi, Kamran
• Is Part Of: Trends in ecology & evolution. Volume 36:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 990
• Page End: 999
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: optimal movement theory -- decision making -- movement ecology -- social information -- Bayesian theory -- physical intelligence; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution (Biology) -- Periodicals; 576.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2021.06.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0169-5347

Abstract

Abstract : Physical energy defines the energy landscape and determines the species-specific cost of movement, thus influencing movement decisions. In unpredictable and dynamic environments, observing the locomotion of others increases individual certainty in the distribution of physical energy to increase movement efficiency. Beyond the physical energy landscape, social sampling increases certainty in all ecological landscapes that influence animal movement (including fear and resource landscapes), and individuals use energy to express each of these. We call for the development of an 'optimal movement theory' (OMT) that integrates the multidimensional reality of movement decisions by combining ecological landscapes according to a single expectation of energy cost–benefit, where social sampling provides up-to-date information under uncertain conditions. This mechanistic framework has implications for predicting individual movement patterns and for investigating the emergence of aggregations. Highlights: Animals move in ways to exploit physical energy in the energy landscape – avoiding steep slopes or locating favourable media currents to reduce the cost of movement. Movement decisions are probabilistic and based on prior expectation of the environment, the error of which can be reduced with up-to-date information. Social sampling of cues in the locomotion of others can increase certainty in the expectation of physical energy availability for efficient movement. Animals must consider and integrate a multitude of ecological landscapes in addition to physical energy when making movement decisions. We call for the development of an optimal movement theory (OMT) that integrates this complexity and the certainty thereof according to the currency of energy – a common denominator of all ecological landscapes that influence movement simultaneously.