A hierarchical pattern of limiting factors helps explain variation in home range size

Home range size characterizes the interplay between an organism and its environment. Determinants of home range size can be intrinsic or extrinsic to the individual but all factors relate along a hierarchical pattern according to spatial and temporal scale. Determinants of home range size at species and population levels result from relatively slow processes, such as evolutionary changes in body size or global changes in climate. Range determinants at the lower level of individuals, however, can change at a relatively fast rate as they result from more rapid processes, such as the seasonal production of food or annual changes in predation rates. Not only do higher scales constrain those below but also lower level processes combine to affect higher scales. Further, correlates of home range size can differ among scales. To incorporate the possible findings of different patterns at different temporal and spatial scales we recommend using a comparative approach to complement controlled manipulative experiments.