RosenzweigMacArthur

The RosenzweigMacArthur model is a theoretical framework used in ecology to study predator-prey dynamics. It builds upon the Lotka-Volterra model by incorporating the concept of a functional response, which describes how the rate of prey consumption by a predator changes with prey density. Specifically, it accounts for the time a predator spends handling prey, such as capturing, killing, and consuming it.

This model proposes that a predator's feeding rate will increase with prey density up to a certain point, after which it plateaus. This plateau occurs because the predator becomes limited by its handling time, meaning it cannot consume prey any faster even if more prey are available. The model often uses a Holling Type II functional response, which is characterized by this saturating relationship.

The RosenzweigMacArthur model can lead to more complex and realistic population dynamics compared to the Lotka-Volterra model. For instance, it can exhibit cycles of population fluctuations that are more damped, or in some parameter ranges, it can even predict bistability, where the populations can either coexist at a stable equilibrium or one species can drive the other to extinction. This added realism makes it a valuable tool for understanding the intricate relationships within ecological communities.