An Agent-Based Model of Resource Distribution on Hunter-Gatherer Foraging Strategies: Clumped Habitats Favor Lower Mobility, but Result in Higher Foraging Returns

Abstract

Using an empirically grounded model of hunter-gatherer foraging strategies we examine how different resource distributions affect optimal group size, movement frequency and average daily return rate per hunter. The total amount of resources in the environment remained the same, but was modified to contain more dispersed or more clumped resource distributions, and vegetation types are located in a less or more patchy environment. The results show that the optimal group size is not affected by resource distributions. However, more clumped resources in a more patchy environment leads to much higher return rates compared to more dispersed and less patchy environments. The more clumped and patchy environment also favors more complex mobility strategies in which camps are moved in an adaptive fashion to specific locations in the landscape. Human foragers, by knowing the landscape and the spatial location of better habitats, and moving to facilitate hunting in those areas, can gain a substantial advantage from that knowledge.