Predator-Prey Dynamics
The cyclical population interactions between predators and their prey. Predator populations lag behind prey populations, creating characteristic boom-bust cycles.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 2 chapters:
"The wolves hunted elk - reducing herds from 20,000 to 8,000 animals within a decade. But the cascading changes extended far beyond predator-prey dynamics. Elk, now wary of wolves, abandoned river valleys where escape was difficult, spending less time grazing riparian willows and aspens."
"...dator-Prey Balance - Competition as Regulation Introduction On Isle Royale, a remote wilderness island in Lake Superior, a natural experiment in predator-prey dynamics has unfolded for over six decades under continuous scientific observation. In 1949, a small pack of gray wolves crossed an ice bridge from the Canadi..."
Biological Context
When prey are abundant, predators thrive and increase. More predators reduce prey populations. Declining prey causes predator decline, allowing prey recovery. The lynx-hare cycle in Canada shows these dynamics clearly, with roughly 10-year cycles.
Business Application
Predator-prey dynamics appear in markets: successful products attract competitors who reduce margins. As marginal players exit, survivors recover. Understanding these cycles helps time market entry and exit.