Some elementary mechanisms for critical transitions and hysteresis in simple predator prey models

Abstract

Trait-mediated indirect effects are increasingly acknowledged as important components in the dynamics of ecological systems. The hamiltonian form of the LV equations is traditionally modified by adding density dependence to the prey variable and functional response to the predator variable. Enriching these non-linear elements with a trait-mediation added to the carrying capacity of the prey creates the dynamics of critical transitions and hysteretic zones.