  In population dynamics, mathematical models often contain too many parameters
to be easily testable. A way to reliably estimate parameters for a broad range
of systems would help us obtain clearer predictions from theory. In this paper,
we examine how the allometric scaling of a number of biological quantities with
animal mass may be useful to parameterise population dynamical models. Using
this allometric scaling, we make predictions about the ratio of prey to
predators in real ecosystems, and we attempt to estimate the length of animal
population cycles as a function of mass. Our analytical and numerical results
turn out to compare reasonably to data from a number of ecosystems. This paves
the way for a wider usage of allometric scaling to simplify mathematical models
in population dynamics and make testable predictions.
