Research summary
Animals are constantly faced with choices, such as where to breed or how long to forage. But uncertainty about the current state of the environment can impede their ability to make these decisions. To adapt and adjust their behaviours as environmental conditions change, animals need information. Yet there is growing evidence that individual animals differ in how they value information.
Dr. Kimberley Mathot, Canada Research Chair in Integrative Ecology, is working is to better understand the causes and consequences of individual differences in strategies for managing uncertainty. Ultimately, she and her research team aim to provide critical insights into the ability of individuals and populations to respond to changing environmental conditions.