Predator-Prey Dynamics

Abstract

Historically, many of the models of the natural world, both marine and terrestrial, have involved only a single species, conceptually separating the species of interest from its environment. In fact, species are in continuous contact with other organisms and their physical environment. The models we address in this book all involve relationships between marine organisms and between organisms and their surrounding physical environment. Several of the relationships will reflect some form of predator-prey interaction—sea birds preying upon horseshoe crabs, sea otters on sea urchins, fish on fish, and ultimately, humans on fish.

Pod after spouting pod of whales, the great ones together with the lesser kinds, surge through waters everywhere a-ripple with living tides of fishes. Farley Mowat, from Sea of Slaughter