Revisiting optimal foraging theory (OFT) in a changing Amazon: Implications for conservation and management

Griffiths, Brian, Bowler, Mark, Kolowski, Joseph, Stabach, Jared, Benson, Elizabeth and Gilmore, Michael P. (2022) Revisiting optimal foraging theory (OFT) in a changing Amazon: Implications for conservation and management. Human Ecology, 50. pp. 545-558. ISSN 0300-7839

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Abstract

Hunter decision-making influences prey selection and is key to understanding the impacts of hunting on biodiversity. Optimal foraging theory (OFT) is often used to describe the decision-making and prey selection of subsistence hunters. We examined the behavior and game meat use of hunters in an indigenous Amazonian community and used free-listing and generalized linear mixed-effects models under the framework of OFT to assess the decision-making of individuals who hunt for economic gain and subsistence. We found that prey selection generally followed OFT, and was influenced by hunter prowess, patch choice, and characteristics of the prey encountered. Hunters preferred paca (Cuniculus paca), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu), and brocket deer (Mazama americana) and only partially preferred tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and large-bodied primates likely due to economic influences such as access to markets and prices, contrary to OFT.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: subsistence hunting, decision-making, game meat, Mammals, prey selection, wild game, optimal foraging theory, Maijuna (Orejón), Northeastern Amazon, Peru
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography
G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Q Science > QH Natural history
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH301 Biology
Q Science > QL Zoology
Divisions: Faculty of Health & Science > Department of Science & Technology
Depositing User: Mark Bowler
Date Deposited: 28 Mar 2022 09:30
Last Modified: 25 Mar 2023 01:38
URI: https://oars.uos.ac.uk/id/eprint/2423

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