A two dimensional array (species x size) holding
$$E_{r.i}(w) = \max(0, \alpha_i\, (1 - {\tt feeding\_level}_i(w))\,
{\tt encounter}_i(w) - {\tt metab}_i(w)).$$
Due to the form of the feeding level, calculated by
getFeedingLevel()
, this can also be expressed as
$$E_{r.i}(w) = \max(0, \alpha_i\, {\tt feeding\_level}_i(w)\,
h_i(w) - {\tt metab}_i(w))$$
where \(h_i\) is the maximum intake rate, set with
setMaxIntakeRate()
.
The assimilation rate \(\alpha_i\) is taken from the species parameter
data frame in params
. The metabolic rate metab
is taken from
params
and set with setMetabolicRate()
.
The return value can be negative, which means that the energy intake does not
cover the cost of metabolism and movement.