Movement rules for individual-based models of stream fish

Abstract

Abstract - Spatially explicit individual-based models (IBMs) use movement rules to determine when an animal departs its current location and to determine its movement destination; these rules are therefore critical to accurate simulations. Movement rules typically define some measure of how an individual's expected fitness varies among locations, under the assumption that animals make movement decisions at least in part to increase their fitness. Recent research shows that many fish move quickly in response to changes in physical and biological conditions, so movement rules should allow fish to rapidly select the best location that is accessible. The theory that a fish's fitness is maximized by minimizing the ratio of mortality risk to food intake is not applicable to typical IBM movement decisions and can cause serious errors in common situations.

Citation

Railsback, Steven F.; Lamberson, Roland H.; Harvey, Bret C.; Duffy, Walter E. 1999. Movement rules for individual-based models of stream fish. Ecological Modelling 123(2-3): 73-89.