The Circle of Life: Predator and Prey Dynamics in an Ecosystem

The Lotka-Volterra equations are a pair of nonlinear first order differential equations that model the dynamics between predator and prey species. Initially proposed over 100 years ago, this predator-prey model is still widely used in ecological and even economic modeling. This presentation will introduce the dynamical system, explain the variables and parameters in each equation, and visualize through graphs how different initial conditions can lead to drastically different outcomes for both populations. The limitations and inaccuracies resulting from the simplicity of the model will also be discussed.