 Ideal free distribution

Ideal Free Distribution (IFD) is a concept in ecology that describes how individuals distribute themselves among different habitats or patches of resources in a way that maximizes their fitness. The theory is based on the assumptions that individuals are free to move between patches and will do so based on the availability of resources, such as food or breeding sites. Key principles of the Ideal Free Distribution include: 1. **Resource Availability:** Individuals will preferentially exploit patches that offer more resources because these patches can support more individuals.