Figure 11.16 The ideal free distribution. Given the existence of high- and low-quality habitats, the first individual to arrive should select the high-quality habitat. As more individuals choose the high-quality habitat, however, the per capita benefit of the habitat declines. At some point (point A), it is equally beneficial for an individual to move to the low-quality habitat (point B) because the per capita benefit equals that experienced in the high-quality habitat. Although the low-quality habitat will have fewer individuals than the high-quality habitat, all individuals will experience the same per capita benefits.