Final answer:
The cycles of hare and lynx populations are driven by predator-prey dynamics and additional density-dependent factors like fecundity. Reproductive rates decline in hares as their population density increases, potentially due to increased stress and competition for resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hare and lynx population cycles are a well-known example of predator-prey dynamics. When the lynx population is low, the hare population size begins to increase due to low predation pressure. As hare numbers increase, there is an abundance of food for the lynx, leading to an increase in the lynx population as well. However, when the lynx population reaches a certain threshold, they kill so many hares that the hare numbers begin to decline. This is followed by a decline in the lynx population due to the scarcity of food.
Additionally, recent studies have suggested that other density-dependent factors, such as fecundity and maternal stress due to crowding, can cause the hare population to cycle independently, subsequently affecting the lynx population, since they are interdependent. As the hare population gets too dense, the reproductive rate declines, which might be due to increased stress and lower food availability per individual.