1. By: Ryan Winters and Cameron Kerst
The Canadian Lynx vs. the Snowshoe Hare: The Predator-Prey Relationship and the Lotka-Volterra Model
By: Ryan Winters and Cameron Kerst
Photo Courtesy of

2. An Overview
The Canadian Lynx population fluctuates based upon the Snowshoe Hare population
Share a common habitat in the Boreal forests of Canada
All data comes from records of the Hudson Bay fur company

3. Background of the Lotka-Volterra Model
Developed Simultaneously by Alfred J. Lotka and Vito Volterra
Volterra, an Italian professor of math, developed the model while trying to explain his son’s observations of fish predators.
Lotka, a chemist, demographer ecologist and mathematician, addressed the model in his book Elements of Physical Biology.

4. Explaining the Model dH/dt is Malthusian, depends : aH(t)
dH= aH(t)-bH(t)L(t)
dL= cH(t)L(t)-eL(t) dt
dH/dt is Malthusian, depends : aH(t)
extension of the basic Verhulst (logistic) Model
Outputs rate at which the respective population in changing at time t
a=intrinsic rate of Hare population increase (births)
b=predation rate coefficient
c=reproduction rate of predators per 1 prey eaten
e=predator mortality rate dt

5. Applying the Data
We chose values for our coefficients that best fit our population data graph
Also initial conditions were taken under consideration in order to most accurately depict our original data
This yielded these rate equations
H’=0.7R(t)-1.25R(t)L(t)
L’=R(t)L(t)-L(t)
a=0.7
b=1.25
c=1
e=1

6. IVP and the Model
After finding our rate equations we then formed an IVP with an initial conditions and rate equations
We used our coefficients that we found and used Euler’s Method to compare our model with the actual data
I.C.=
H(1900)=3*
L(1900)=.4*
*Population in thousands
R.E.=
H’= aH(t)-bH(t)L(t)
L’= cH(t)L(t)-eL(t)

7. Works Consulted Works Consulted:
Lotka, Alfred J. Elements of Physical Biology.
Mahaffy, Joseph M. “Lotka-Volterra Models.” San Diego State University: rohan.sdsu.edu/~jmahaffy/courses/f00/math122/lectures/qual_de2/qualde2.html
McKelvey, Steve. “Lotka-Volterra Two Species Model.” < >
Sharov, Alexei. “Lotka-Volterra Model.” 01/12/1996. < >
“Vito Voltera.” School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St. Andrews, Scotland. December < and.ac.uk/~history/Mathematicians/Volterra.html >
“Alfred J. Lotka.” Wikipedia.
< > 12/01/2005

8. The End
Thank You!!!