Applications of random search methods to foraging in ecological environments and other natural phenomena–A review

Abstract

Random search methods are central to “predator–prey” problems in natural phenomena where a predator is in search of a randomly located prey. Such problems aim at explaining the movement process of a variety of life forms. It is widely known that Brownian and Lévy motions optimize random search strategies and their applications have been the focus of a growing number of investigations in contemporary interdisciplinary sciences. In this review article, we discuss the applications of random search strategies that rely upon Brownian and Lévy motions and their variants. In carrying out this review, we limit our focus to the areas of foraging in ecological environments, motions of T cells and other biological organisms, and robotic searches for military and civilian targets.