Press the green flag to run the simulation. Change the backdrops (arrow keys) to experiment with how different sizes of predator exclusion zones impact the stability of the system. # prey is plotted in green # predators is plotted in orange Blue area = predator exclusion area that predators cannot access (usually - sometimes a few of them wiggle their way in). This could represent something like a burrow, tree, underwater etc. that the predators cannot enter, but the prey have to leave eventually. Could also represent a no-fishing zone if the predators are humans.
Predators reproduce (soft growl sound) only when old, fed, if sufficient time has elapsed since last reproduced, and if in proximity to another old/fed predator. Predators feed only when hungry (red color). Predators die when very old (snort sound) or starved (deep growl sound). Prey reproduce (pop sound) only when old, in proximity to another old prey and if sufficient time has elapsed since last reproduced. Prey die when eaten (chomp sound) or when very old. With a large predator exclusion zone (backdrop LARGE), numbers of both predators and prey will gradually increase initially and will stabilize around 210 +/-30 prey and 50 +/-10 predators - you will hear predators start to starve at this point. The simulation will then remain stable for a VERY long time. With a small predator exclusion zone (backdrop SMALL), numbers of both predators and prey will gradually increase initially and will stabilize around 140 +/-20 prey and 70 +/-10 predators - you will hear predators start to starve at this point. Eventually predator numbers will start to increase again, at some point surpassing prey numbers. Prey will then decrease rapidly, followed by mass starvation of predators, and then extinction of the few prey that are left
