Trophic Cascade Dynamics

A three-level food web (plants P, herbivores H, predators C — carnivores) exhibits trophic cascades: predator removal causes herbivore explosion and plant collapse (top-down control). Conversely, nutrient pulses cascade upward (bottom-up). The model uses Lotka-Volterra with logistic plant growth and type-II functional responses.

Plants Herbivores Predators
Population levels:
P =
H =
C =

Trophic state: