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Mountain Lions Revive Ecosystems
Mountain lions are quietly reshaping ecosystems — new Stanford research reveals that even occasional visits by these apex predators can trigger a powerful trophic cascade at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve. Between 2015 and 2020, increased lion sightings coincided with plummeting deer numbers, allowing young oak trees and other vegetation to thrive. This ripple effect extends beyond plants: coyotes and bobcats are disappearing from the area, likely due to the “ecology of fear” — their behavior altered by the mere presence of lions. The study underscores how vital intact predator-prey chains…
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