The plateau pika has multiple benefits for alpine grassland ecosystem in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Abstract

The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) has been engaged in pest control for many years based on the logic that the plateau pika is responsible for alpine grassland degradation and competes with livestock for forage resources. However, the plateau pika is an important species which has multiple benefits in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, as it (i) makes burrows that are the primary homes for lizards and a variety of small birds; (ii) creates microhabitat disturbance that promotes the increase of plant species richness; (iii) serves as the principal prey for almost all of the plateau predator species; and (iv) contributes positively to the dynamic equilibrium of alpine ecosystems.

Metagenomic Comparisons between Soft and Hard Feces of Plateau Pikas (Ochotona curzoniae)

“…Plateau pika is a keystone species for its widespread distribution and multiple roles in the alpine meadow ecosystem ( Figure 1 a) [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. In this ecosystem, most mammalian and avian carnivores prey on pikas [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

“…Plateau pika is a keystone species for its widespread distribution and multiple roles in the alpine meadow ecosystem ( Figure 1 a) [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. In this ecosystem, most mammalian and avian carnivores prey on pikas [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. A pika’s burrow provides a habitat for endemic birds and reduces potential soil erosion caused by heavy rainfall [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

“…In this ecosystem, most mammalian and avian carnivores prey on pikas [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. A pika’s burrow provides a habitat for endemic birds and reduces potential soil erosion caused by heavy rainfall [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Plateau pikas maintain plant species diversity through their behavior of digging [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”

The plant secondary compound swainsonine reshapes gut microbiota in plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae)

“…They are diurnal, burrowing, and non-hibernating and tend to be spatially clumped, interacting with the surrounding environment through foraging and excavating activities (Arthur et al 2008 ). They are also an important indicator of ecosystem health, which helps maintain the biodiversity of the grassland ecosystem (Zhao et al 2020 ). However, grassland degradation caused by overgrazing can lead to the outbreak of plateau pika populations and aggravate the deterioration of the grassland ecosystem (Smith et al 2019 ).…”

A density estimation model of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) supporting camera‐monitoring programs

“…Small mammalian herbivores such as pikas serve as mediators of plant community dynamics (Bagchi et al, 2006). Zhao et al (2020) claimed that the existence of pikas is vital to maintaining the diversity of plateau plants and the survival of a variety of predators. In addition, the burrowing behavior of pikas increases soil permeability (Zhao et al, 2020).…”