Contents -- 1 The Basics -- 1.1 Introduction: Biology, constraints and trade-offs -- 1.2 An example: Formalizing constraints and trade-offs -- 1.3 A brief digression on probability -- 1.4 The algorithm of stochastic dynamic programming -- 1.5 Computer implementation -- 1.6 Evaluating the fitness of alternative strategies -- 1.7 Developing a dynamic state variable model -- 1.8 A model for feeding by the three-spined stickleback -- 1.9 The role of dynamic state variable models in ecology -- 1.10 Examples of projects -- Appendix: Rate-maximizing theories of diet selection and habitat choice -- 2 Some Details of Technique -- 2.1 Linear interpolation -- 2.2 Sequential coupling -- 2.3 Forward iteration and Monte Carlo simulation -- 2.4 The critical level of reserves -- 2.5 Environmental state variables -- 2.6 Errors in decisions -- 2.7 Variable constraints -- 2.8 Functional forms -- 3 Using the Model -- 3.1 Levels of detail in model predictions -- 3.2 Comparing models and data -- 3.3 Obtaining and analyzing predictions -- 3.4 Sensitivity analysis -- 3.5 Suboptimality analysis -- 4 Oviposition Behavior of Insect Parasitoids -- 4.1 Parasitoid life histories -- 4.2 Fixed clutch models -- 4.3 A dynamic but state-independent model -- 4.4 The proovigenic parasitoid -- 4.5 The synovigenic parasitoid: Eggs and reserves -- 4.6 Discussion -- 5 Winter Survival Strategies -- 5.1 Foraging and fattening strategies for willow tits -- 5.2 Social interaction -- 5.3 Experiments suggested by the model -- 5.4 Models of hoarding behavior -- 5.5 Long-term hoarding -- 5.6 Overwinter foraging by juvenile salmon -- 5.7 A state variable model for overwinter lipid dynamics -- 5.8 Empirical test of the predictions -- 6 Avian Migration -- 6.1 The energetics of bird migration -- 6.2 Optimal fuel loads -- 6.3 A dynamic state variable model of single-flight migration.

6.4 Spring migration of western sandpipers -- 7 Human Behavioral Ecology -- 7.1 Dynamic discarding in fisheries -- 7.2 Optimal reproductive strategies in !kung bushmcn females -- 8 Conservation Biology -- 8.1 Assessing the fitness consequences of environmental change -- 8.2 Using fire rotation schemes to maximize the persistence of midsuccessional species -- 8.3 Managing a metapopulation -- 8.4 Some other applications -- 9 Agroecology -- 9.1 Behavioral origins of the functional response -- 9.2 Behavior and population regulation: The behavioral stabilization of host-parasitoid interactions -- 9.3 Weed control: Predicting flowering in thistles and other monocarpic perennials -- 9.4 Discussion -- 10 Population-Level Models -- 10.1 Ideal free distributions -- 10.2 Patch choice with frequency-dependent predation risk -- 10.3 Genetic algorithms as optimization tools -- 11 Stochasticity, Uncertainty, and Information as a State Variable -- 11.1 Ephemeral patches and uncertain food -- 11.2 A Bayesian foraging model -- 11.3 Tracking a changing environment -- 11.4 Discussion -- Appendix: Bayesian updating -- 12 Measures of Fitness -- 12.1 Nonoverlapping generations -- 12.2 Overlapping generations -- 12.3 Fitness measures in dynamic state variable models -- Appendix: Programs available at the OUP Web site -- References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- K -- L -- M -- O -- P -- R -- S -- T -- U -- W -- Z.