Paradox of Enrichment
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-31
CORE DEFINITION
In a predator-prey system, artificially increasing the prey's food supply (enrichment) leads to a surge in prey population, which in turn causes a surge in predator population, ultimately resulting in violent population fluctuations and even the extinction of both species.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
System collapse due to resource overload. - "More resources" is not always good; it can destabilize the system. In startups, sudden massive funding (enrichment) often leads to death, as it masks management issues and fuels reckless expansion (predator surge), eventually causing a cash flow break. Systems need "moderate stress" rather than "unlimited enrichment."
Anchor fast decisions
In the predator-prey model, increasing the carrying capacity (prey resource enrichment) amplifies the system's response to perturbations, causing populations to shift from stable equilibrium to large oscillations or even extinction. "Too good" resources weaken system resilience.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradox_of_enrichmentverified
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