Final answer:
Predator/prey populations display a cyclical pattern where the predator population follows the trends of the prey population, with a lag of one to two years. The lynx and snowshoe hare represent a classical example of this dynamic.
Step-by-step explanation:
Predator/prey populations generally exhibit a cyclical pattern of change, where increased prey population leads to an increase in the predator population, and a subsequent increase in predation causes the prey population size to decrease. This decrease in prey eventually leads to a decrease in the number of predators due to scarcity of food, and the cycle begins anew. An example of this pattern can be seen in the predator-prey dynamics of the lynx and snowshoe hare populations, where the pattern occurs over a period of approximately ten years, with the predator population lagging behind the prey by one to two years. This relationship is known to be complex, with potential contributions from density-dependent factors and predation pressure.