Story perspectives

Mountain Lions Surge, Boost Plant Density 64-Fold at Jasper Ridge

7/1/2026

Summary

Pumas Trigger Cascade

Researchers led by Chinmay Sonawane and Elizabeth Hadly analyzed camera-trap data 2015-2023 and found rising mountain lion activity at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve triggered a trophic cascade that boosted plant density 64-fold.
Deer avoided puma-recorded zones, dropping activity 34%.
Coyotes cut nighttime activity 25% while bobcats appeared less, shifting patterns.
Fewer coyotes and bobcats let gray foxes use the preserve more and rabbit activity fall.

Summary

Jasper Ridge Calls Corridors

A Stanford report finds 82 % of U.S. protected areas are under five square kilometres, linking Jasper Ridge’s trophic cascade to most reserves.
The peri-urban Jasper Ridge faces road mortality and human disturbance, prompting researchers to call for corridors to the Santa Cruz Mountains to sustain top predators.
Sonawane and Dirzo warn that dismissing small, area-sensitive preserves endangers ecological integrity, even though they can support magnificent trophic cascades.

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Pumas Trigger Cascade

Researchers led by Chinmay Sonawane and Elizabeth Hadly analyzed camera-trap data 2015-2023 and found rising mountain lion activity at Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve triggered a trophic cascade that boosted plant density 64-fold.
Deer avoided puma-recorded zones, dropping activity 34%.
Coyotes cut nighttime activity 25% while bobcats appeared less, shifting patterns.
Fewer coyotes and bobcats let gray foxes use the preserve more and rabbit activity fall.

1 / 2