Predator VS. Prey...Interaction and Lifelines.

   In a particular area, in the woods, populated by rabbits and lynx, how do they survive? Who survives longer or dies off and migrates to a new area?
   Starting with only 3 rabbits doubling in population after every lynx attack, and the lynx only repopulating if they are able to eat 3 rabbits, I believe that the rabbits will take over the area. The lynx should not have to worry about food at all...So is this happening? 
    I started out with an area of 12in.X12in. Inside that area I measured the rabbits 1in. squared and the lynx 3in. squared. To begin I placed 3 rabbits in the area and dropped one lynx. The lynx would have to eat at least 3 rabbits to stay alive...if it did not a new lynx was introduced and the rabbits reproduced, if he did, then he survived and reproduced as well, along with the rabbits. 
                    Step 1 

    I will repeat this step 20 times. Notice the Lynx above only captured 2 rabbits so it does not survive or reproduce, however the remaining rabbit does, and a new lynx was introduced. I continued this process with the following results...

   As in any simulated project there are things that could have changed the results in the real world. These disturbances or disruptions include:

Fire             Severe Storms
Flood            Insect Swarms
Wind             Volcanic Activity
Disease          Long term Freezing
Drought          Earthquake
Pollution        Clear-cutting
Habitat fragmentation

(www.nwf.org)                  

                   Step 6

  So when looking at my results do not think that any of these things have any affect on my testing. My conclusion is that these animals basically balance themselves out. There are rises and falls but overall I believe not one animal or another would have become completely dominant. Now say if the lynx had become extinct then the rabbits may indeed rule the roost! 
             Step 13(first Attack)

             After each attack I 
            tried to spread out the
            rabbits evenly again.


    You'll notice as soon as the number of rabbits left to eat falls so does the number of rabbits eaten. This reducing the chances of survival of all of the lynx that are out there. I believe had I gone on there would be more of the same rise and fall results. I would think they would all stay close within the amounts that were in my testing(5-8 lynx).
              Step 20 (4th attack)

    I believe this testing showed how our own ecosystems tend to balance themselves out. I understand in certain circumstances there may be areas that are overrun with a species of animal or a loss of another but again I did not base my testing on any disrupting disturbances. This testing did show me clearer what happens out there!