Predator-Prey Population Dynamics
Predation may be a density-dependent mortality factor to the host population-and prey may represent a limiting resource to predators.
The degree of prey mortality is a function of the density of the predator population.
The density of the prey population, in turn, affects the birth and death rates of the predator population.
i.e, when prey become particularly common, predators increase in numbers until prey die back due to increased predation, this, in turn, inhibits the growth of prey.
Typically, there is a time lag effect.