PUTTING RESOURCE DYNAMICS INTO CONTINUOUS INPUT IDEAL FREE DISTRIBUTION MODELS

Continuous input models of the ideal free distribution usually assume that resources are consumed immediately that they enter a patch. This paper presents models of constant continuous input in which this assum ption is relaxed, so that predictions can be made about the standing c rops of resources and the density relationship of prey mortality cause d by the consumers. These models suggest that: (1) the input matching rule is not dependent on the assumption that resources are consumed im mediately that they enter a patch, and holds whether or not there is i nterference competition but not when there is an alternative source of mortality; (2) exploitation competition is fundamental to the continu ous input model. Whether or not interference competition occurs can be determined in experimental situations by measuring the standing crops of resources in patches with different resource input rates; (3) inte rference models are not an alternative to continuous input models but represent a 'snapshot' of time from either continuous input or depleti on models; (4) in continuous input models prey mortality is density in dependent in the absence of interference because all patches have the same standing crop of resources. When there is interference between co nsumers prey mortality is density dependent, unless the interference i s extremely strong.