Ecosystem Dynamics Lab

Ecosystem Dynamics — Predator-Prey Cycles

Ecosystem dynamics describes how populations of interacting species change over time under predation, competition, and resource limitation. This simulation implements the classic Lotka-Volterra predator-prey equations, making the cyclical oscillations between rabbit and fox populations — or any trophic pair — directly observable. Adjusting prey growth rate, predation efficiency, and predator death rate shifts the system between stable cycles, damped oscillations, and extinction.

What you can do in this simulation

• Set prey growth rate and predator death rate to define baseline population cycles
• Adjust predation rate and conversion efficiency to reshape cycle amplitude and period
• Plot population time series for predator and prey simultaneously on the same axes
• View the phase-plane portrait showing closed orbits or spiral dynamics
• Introduce carrying capacity for prey to observe how resource limitation stabilizes cycles

Concepts covered

Lotka-Volterra · predator-prey · population cycle · trophic interaction · phase plane · carrying capacity

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