The Estimation and Analysis of Preference and Its Relatioship to Foraging Models

Abstract

This paper summarizes models of estimation and analysis for the measure of consumer food preferences originally derived by Manly et al. (1972) and further developed by Chesson (1978). Unlike many alternative measure this measure of preference does not change with changes in food densities unless consumer behavior also changes. This measure is shown to relate in a simple way to parameters, such as clearance and attack rates, which appear in certain commonly used models of foraging behavior.