=================================== ontogeneticLinksProfitability =================================== Overview ======== The file ``ontogeneticLinksProfitability.csv`` defines the **energy gain**, **nutritional benefit**, or more generally the **profitability** that a species obtains when interacting with another species (e.g., feeding on it). This file specifies *how valuable* each prey or resource is for each predator or consumer. Typical uses within the ecosystem model include: - Energy intake during feeding events. - Cost–benefit evaluation when selecting resources. - Ontogenetic changes in dietary profitability across life stages. - Differences in nutritional quality among prey or food types. File Format =========== The file is a **comma-separated values (CSV)** matrix. - **Rows (first column):** represent the *prey* or *resource species*. - **Columns (first row):** represent the *predators* or *consumers*. - **Cells:** contain numerical values indicating the **profitability** a predator obtains from consuming or interacting with that prey/resource. A higher value indicates a higher energetic or functional benefit. Example Structure ================= Structure example (values are only illustrative): :: , PredatorA, PredatorB, PredatorC Prey1, 0.9, 0.4, 0.0 Prey2, 0.7, 0.98, 0.31 Prey3, 0.0, 0.64, 0.52 Interpretation Example ====================== From the example: - ``PredatorA`` obtains a high benefit (0.9) from ``Prey1``. - ``PredatorB`` gains more energy from ``Prey2`` and ``Prey3``. - ``PredatorC`` gains no benefit from ``Prey1`` (0.0), indicating either incompatibility or lack of consumption.