Which is most likely-prey limits predators or predators limit prey?

Answer 1

There is truly no answer... And there is no equality in nature either.

The balance of nature is in fact; that it is, constantly out of balance.

The predator / prey relationship looks like 2 alternating rollercoasters on a graph over time.

But I believe that the prey limits predator.

When predator levels become too high, usually because of high prey levels, they prey is inadvertently limiting or controlling the predator by providing large quantities of food.

Eventually, the predators will consume most all their prey and most predators will perish. Only the strongest, fastest, smartest, determined and resistant to disease and famine will survive. Thus, the lack of prey, is now the limiting the predator by its own absence.

At some point the predator's population will rebound. But only once the prey have reached high enough levels again, to supply the predator with an ample food source to be successful and thus increase reproductivity.

Also, it is also up to the prey's ability to survive those low spots on the graph that will ultimately determine the predators fate.

The prey is limiting the predator in all the scenarios I can think of!

The supply of prey also is another way that they can inadvertently limit the predator.

~Matt G.