 Abstract metabolic cross-feeding plays a critical role in maintaining ecological diversity by providing a collaborative mechanism of stress resistance. Bacteria can exchange essential nutrients during periods of growth arrest, allowing them to survive in harsh environments. These interactions occur between species isolated from the same community as well as between unrelated species with complementary metabolisms. The resulting growth dilution cycle involves for distinct phases, each with its own combination of physiological states. This dynamic view of ecosystems challenges the traditional notion of steady state, instead suggesting that ecosystems are constantly evolving and adapting to their environment. This article was authored by Kapila Manov, Avanishvi Nala, Samy Pontrelli, and others.