Citation
The Evolution of Diversity in Avian Territorial Systems
TL;DR
Territory defended only when benefits exceed costs
Foundational paper establishing the economic defendability model for territorial behavior. Brown's formulation that territory is defended when benefits exceed costs provides the theoretical foundation for the entire chapter's analysis of business territorial strategy.
The insight that territoriality is not instinctive or automatic but emerges only when specific economic conditions are met allows direct application to business contexts where companies should similarly calculate whether defense costs justify territory value.
Key Findings from Brown (1964)
- Territory defended only when benefits exceed costs
- Territorial behavior is not universal but conditional on economics
- Resource density determines whether territoriality emerges