Mountain lions changed everything in this tiny California preserve

A small preserve south of San Francisco has seen a striking ecological transformation, according to ScienceDaily. The arrival of mountain lions triggered a cascade of changes: deer populations declined, allowing plants to recover, and the activity of other predators like coyotes, bobcats, and foxes shifted in response. The study demonstrates that these powerful ecosystem effects—where changes at the top of the food chain ripple downward—aren't confined to remote wilderness. Even in suburban preserves, a single apex predator can reshape an entire landscape.

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