Comprehensive Impact of Plateau Pika on Biota and Soil Structure in Its Habitat—A Case Study of the Tibetan Plateau
Main Article Content
Keywords
Tibetan plateau, plateau pika, ecological impact, population management, biodiversity
Abstract
Plateau Pika (Ochotona curzoniae), a key species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, along with its ecological impact, has been paid extensive attention to. This paper aims to comprehensively assess the ecological impact of pika on vegetation, soil and biodiversity in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Through the review of previous studies, it was found that the foraging behavior of Plateau Pika affected plant community structure and diversity, which decreased plant evenness but increased species richness. Its activities changed soil organic matter, microbial community and greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of animal diversity, it is a food source for many predators and is interdependent with some symbiotic other animals. However, considering pika’s competitiveness with domestic animals for food, population control should be implemented. In order to maintain the ecosystem balance and biodiversity on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, self-transmitted contraception control, increasing the planting of non-eating vegetation and controlling the number of livestock and grazing intensity, instead of traditional poisoning method, can be adopted.
References
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Li, W. J., & Zhang, Y. M. (2006). Impacts of plateau pikas on soil organic matter and moisture content in alpine meadow. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 26(4), 331-337. https://doi.org/10.16829/j.slxb.2006.04.003
Li, X., Wang, Z., Wang, D., Wang, L., Pan, D., Li, J., De, K., & Seastedt, T. R. (2019). Livestock grazing impacts on plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) vary by species identity. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 275, 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2019.01.007
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Liu, W., Wang, Q. J., Wang, X., Zhou, L., Li, Y. F., & Li, F. J. (1999). Ecological process of forming "black-soil-type" degraded grassland. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 7(4), 300-307.
Liu, W., Xu, Q. M., Wang, X., Zhao, J. Z., & Zhou, L. (2010). Influence of burrowing activity of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on nitrogen in soils. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 30(1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.16829/j.slxb.2010.01.005
Liu, W., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., Zhao, J. Z., & Xu, Q. M. (2008). Food selection by plateau pikas in different habitats during plant growing season. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 28(4), 358-366.
Mukhopadhya, I., Hansen, R., El-Omar, E. M., & Hold, G. L. (2012). IBD-what role do Proteobacteria play? Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 9(4), 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1038/NRGASTRO.2012.14
Pang, X. P., & Guo, Z. G. (2017). Plateau pika disturbances alter plant productivity and soil nutrients in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China. Rangeland Journal, 39(2), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ16093
Pech, R. P., Jiebu, Arthur, A. D., Yanming, Z., & Hui, L. (2007). Population dynamics and responses to management of plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae. Journal of Applied Ecology, 44(3), 615-624. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-2664.2007.01287.X
Peñuelas, J., Sardans, J., Rivas-ubach, A., & Janssens, I. A. (2012). The human-induced imbalance between C, N and P in earth's life system. Global Change Biology, 18(1), 3-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-2486.2011.02568.X
Qin, Y., Yi, S., Ding, Y., Zhang, W., Qin, Y., Chen, J., & Wang, Z. (2019). Effect of plateau pika disturbance and patchiness on ecosystem carbon emissions in alpine meadow in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Biogeosciences, 16(6), 1097-1109. https://doi.org/10.5194/BG-16-1097-2019
Schaller, G. B. (1998). Wildlife of the Tibetan steppe. University of Chicago Press.
Smith, A. T., Formozov, A. N., Hoffmann, R. S., Zheng, C., & Erbajeva, M. A. (1990). The pikas. In J. A. Chapman & J. A. C. Flux (Eds.), Rabbits, hares and pikas: Status survey and conservation action plan (pp. 14-60). IUCN.
Smith, A. T., Senko, J., & Siladan, M. U. (2016). Plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae poisoning campaign reduces carnivore abundance in Southern Qinghai, China. Mammal Study, 41(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3106/041.041.0102
Wangdwei, M., & Foggin, J. M. (2022). Effects of land use and yak grazing on behavior and body mass of plateau pika in Tibetan plateau rangelands. Grassland Science, 68(4), 343-353. https://doi.org/10.1111/GRS.12375
Wei, X., Li, S., Yang, P., & Cheng, H. (2007). Soil erosion and vegetation succession in alpine Kobresia steppe meadow caused by plateau pika: A case study of Nagqu County, Tibet. Chinese Geographical Science, 17(1), 75-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11769-007-0075-0
Whittaker, R. H. (1960). Vegetation of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon and California. Ecological Monographs, 30(3), 279-338. https://doi.org/10.2307/1943563
Wu, H., Chen, Y., Ganjurjav, H., & Zhao, J. (2024). Effects of rodent isolation on plant community structure and greenhouse gas emission in the alpine grassland of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. Sustainability, 16(12), Article 4943. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16124943
Xu, H., Yan, H., Deng, T., Zhang, R., & Liu, W. (2018). Impact of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on Elymus nutans and legume plant physiological properties in alpine meadow. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 38(2), 148.
Xu, H. j., Wang, X. p., & Zhang, X. x. (2016). Alpine grasslands response to climatic factors and anthropogenic activities on the Tibetan plateau from 2000 to 2012. Ecological Engineering, 92, 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLENG.2016.04.005
Yan, Y., Ganjurjav, H., Hu, G., Liang, Y., Li, Y., He, S., Danjiu, L., Yang, J., & Gao, Q. (2018). Nitrogen deposition induced significant increase of N2O emissions in an dry alpine meadow on the central Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 265, 45-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2018.05.031
Yang, D., Song, L., & Jin, G. (2019). The soil C:N:P stoichiometry is more sensitive than the leaf C:N:P stoichiometry to nitrogen addition: A four-year nitrogen addition experiment in a Pinus koraiensis plantation. Plant and Soil, 442(1-2), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11104-019-04165-Z
Yang, L., Li, J., & Yang, Y. (1999). Β-diversity of grassland communities along gradient of grazing disturbance. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 10(4), 59-63.
Yu, C., Jia, T. T., Pang, X. P., & Guo, Z. G. (2016). Effects of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) disturbing soil carbon and nitrogen distribution in alpine meadow. Journal of Soil Science, (3), 768-778.
Zhang, N., Chen, K. L., & Qi, W. (2023). The activity of pikas in alpine meadow affects the characteristics of soil microbial community. Ecological Sciences, 42(3), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.14108/j.cnki.1008-8873.2023.03.011
Zhang, Y., Dong, S., Gao, Q., Liu, S., Liang, Y., & Cao, X. (2016). Responses of alpine vegetation and soils to the disturbance of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) at burrow level on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau of China. Ecological Engineering, 88, 232-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLENG.2015.12.034
Bryant, D. A., & Frigaard, N. U. (2006). Prokaryotic photosynthesis and phototrophy illuminated. Trends in Microbiology, 14(11), 488-496. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TIM.2006.09.001
Chen, Y., Wang, X., & Liu, J. (2021). Soil aeration and nutrient cycling in pika burrow systems: A case study from the Tibetan plateau. Journal of High-Altitude Ecology, 34(2), 125-136.
Ding, J. X., Chen, K. L., & Cui, H. (2019). Disturbance of Ochotona curzoniae on soil respiration in alpine marsh meadow plateau. Ecological Science, 38(6), 1-7.
Eichorst, S. A., Trojan, D., Roux, S., Herbold, C., Rattei, T., & Woebken, D. (2018). Genomic insights into the acidobacteria reveal strategies for their success in terrestrial environments. Environmental Microbiology, 20(3), 1041-1063. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.14043
Fan, N. C., Zhou, W. Y., Wei, W. H., Wang, Q. Y., & Jiang, Y. J. (1999). Rodent pest management in Qinghai-Tibet alpine meadow ecosystem. In G. R. Singleton, L. A. Hinds, H. Leirs, & Z. Zhang (Eds.), Ecologically based management of rodent pests (pp. 285-304). Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research.
Fang, D., Zhao, G., Xu, X., Zhang, Q., Shen, Q., Fang, Z., Huang, L., & Ji, F. (2018). Microbial community structures and functions of wastewater treatment systems in plateau and cold regions. Bioresource Technology, 249, 684-693. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2017.10.063
Fang, H., Cheng, S., Yu, G., Cooch, J., Wang, Y., Xu, M., Li, L., Dang, X., & Li, Y. (2014). Low-level nitrogen deposition significantly inhibits methane uptake from an alpine meadow soil on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Geoderma, 213, 444-452. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.GEODERMA.2013.08.006
Fierer, N. (2017). Embracing the unknown: Disentangling the complexities of the soil microbiome. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 15(10), 579-590. https://doi.org/10.1038/NRMICRO.2017.87
Harris, R. B. (2010). Rangeland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: A review of the evidence of its magnitude and causes. Journal of Arid Environments, 74(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JARIDENV.2009.06.014
Jin, S., Liu, T., Pang, X., Yu, C., & Guo, Z. (2017). Effects of plateau ochotona disturbance on plant diversity and aboveground biomass of Kobresia altitudinal meadow in Qinghai lake basin. Journal of Pratacultural Science, 26(5), 29.
Kirschbaum, M. U. F. (1995). The temperature dependence of soil organic matter decomposition, and the effect of global warming on soil organic C storage. Soil Biology and Biochemistry, 27(6), 753-760. https://doi.org/10.1016/0038-0717(94)00242-S
Li, J., Chen, Y. Y., Qiao, F. Y., Zhi, D. G., & Guo, Z. G. (2021). Effects of disturbance by plateau pika on the β diversity of an alpine meadow. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology, 45(5), 476-486. https://doi.org/10.17521/cjpe.2020.0274
Li, W. J., & Zhang, Y. M. (2006). Impacts of plateau pikas on soil organic matter and moisture content in alpine meadow. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 26(4), 331-337. https://doi.org/10.16829/j.slxb.2006.04.003
Li, X., Wang, Z., Wang, D., Wang, L., Pan, D., Li, J., De, K., & Seastedt, T. R. (2019). Livestock grazing impacts on plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) vary by species identity. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 275, 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2019.01.007
Li, Y., & Wang, H. (2018). Grazing effects of plateau pikas on alpine meadow vegetation: Implications for ecosystem management. Mountain Ecology, 25(4), 299-310.
Liu, C. F., Duan, Y. Y., Wang, L. L., Wang, Y. M., & Guo, Z. G. (2023). Effects of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) disturbance on the relationship between plant species diversity and soil ecological stoichiometry in alpine meadows. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 32(6), 157-166. https://doi.org/10.11686/cyxb2022271
Liu, H., Chen, Y., Zhou, L., & Jin, Z. (2013). The effects of management on population dynamics of plateau pika. Mathematical and Computer Modelling, 57(3-4), 525-535. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MCM.2012.06.032
Liu, W., Wang, Q. J., Wang, X., Zhou, L., Li, Y. F., & Li, F. J. (1999). Ecological process of forming "black-soil-type" degraded grassland. Acta Agrestia Sinica, 7(4), 300-307.
Liu, W., Xu, Q. M., Wang, X., Zhao, J. Z., & Zhou, L. (2010). Influence of burrowing activity of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on nitrogen in soils. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 30(1), 35-44. https://doi.org/10.16829/j.slxb.2010.01.005
Liu, W., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., Zhao, J. Z., & Xu, Q. M. (2008). Food selection by plateau pikas in different habitats during plant growing season. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 28(4), 358-366.
Mukhopadhya, I., Hansen, R., El-Omar, E. M., & Hold, G. L. (2012). IBD-what role do Proteobacteria play? Nature Reviews Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 9(4), 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1038/NRGASTRO.2012.14
Pang, X. P., & Guo, Z. G. (2017). Plateau pika disturbances alter plant productivity and soil nutrients in alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, China. Rangeland Journal, 39(2), 133-144. https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ16093
Pech, R. P., Jiebu, Arthur, A. D., Yanming, Z., & Hui, L. (2007). Population dynamics and responses to management of plateau pikas Ochotona curzoniae. Journal of Applied Ecology, 44(3), 615-624. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-2664.2007.01287.X
Peñuelas, J., Sardans, J., Rivas-ubach, A., & Janssens, I. A. (2012). The human-induced imbalance between C, N and P in earth's life system. Global Change Biology, 18(1), 3-6. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1365-2486.2011.02568.X
Qin, Y., Yi, S., Ding, Y., Zhang, W., Qin, Y., Chen, J., & Wang, Z. (2019). Effect of plateau pika disturbance and patchiness on ecosystem carbon emissions in alpine meadow in the northeastern part of Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Biogeosciences, 16(6), 1097-1109. https://doi.org/10.5194/BG-16-1097-2019
Schaller, G. B. (1998). Wildlife of the Tibetan steppe. University of Chicago Press.
Smith, A. T., Formozov, A. N., Hoffmann, R. S., Zheng, C., & Erbajeva, M. A. (1990). The pikas. In J. A. Chapman & J. A. C. Flux (Eds.), Rabbits, hares and pikas: Status survey and conservation action plan (pp. 14-60). IUCN.
Smith, A. T., Senko, J., & Siladan, M. U. (2016). Plateau pika Ochotona curzoniae poisoning campaign reduces carnivore abundance in Southern Qinghai, China. Mammal Study, 41(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3106/041.041.0102
Wangdwei, M., & Foggin, J. M. (2022). Effects of land use and yak grazing on behavior and body mass of plateau pika in Tibetan plateau rangelands. Grassland Science, 68(4), 343-353. https://doi.org/10.1111/GRS.12375
Wei, X., Li, S., Yang, P., & Cheng, H. (2007). Soil erosion and vegetation succession in alpine Kobresia steppe meadow caused by plateau pika: A case study of Nagqu County, Tibet. Chinese Geographical Science, 17(1), 75-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11769-007-0075-0
Whittaker, R. H. (1960). Vegetation of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon and California. Ecological Monographs, 30(3), 279-338. https://doi.org/10.2307/1943563
Wu, H., Chen, Y., Ganjurjav, H., & Zhao, J. (2024). Effects of rodent isolation on plant community structure and greenhouse gas emission in the alpine grassland of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau. Sustainability, 16(12), Article 4943. https://doi.org/10.3390/SU16124943
Xu, H., Yan, H., Deng, T., Zhang, R., & Liu, W. (2018). Impact of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on Elymus nutans and legume plant physiological properties in alpine meadow. Acta Theriologica Sinica, 38(2), 148.
Xu, H. j., Wang, X. p., & Zhang, X. x. (2016). Alpine grasslands response to climatic factors and anthropogenic activities on the Tibetan plateau from 2000 to 2012. Ecological Engineering, 92, 251-259. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLENG.2016.04.005
Yan, Y., Ganjurjav, H., Hu, G., Liang, Y., Li, Y., He, S., Danjiu, L., Yang, J., & Gao, Q. (2018). Nitrogen deposition induced significant increase of N2O emissions in an dry alpine meadow on the central Qinghai–Tibetan plateau. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 265, 45-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.AGEE.2018.05.031
Yang, D., Song, L., & Jin, G. (2019). The soil C:N:P stoichiometry is more sensitive than the leaf C:N:P stoichiometry to nitrogen addition: A four-year nitrogen addition experiment in a Pinus koraiensis plantation. Plant and Soil, 442(1-2), 183-198. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11104-019-04165-Z
Yang, L., Li, J., & Yang, Y. (1999). Β-diversity of grassland communities along gradient of grazing disturbance. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 10(4), 59-63.
Yu, C., Jia, T. T., Pang, X. P., & Guo, Z. G. (2016). Effects of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) disturbing soil carbon and nitrogen distribution in alpine meadow. Journal of Soil Science, (3), 768-778.
Zhang, N., Chen, K. L., & Qi, W. (2023). The activity of pikas in alpine meadow affects the characteristics of soil microbial community. Ecological Sciences, 42(3), 83-91. https://doi.org/10.14108/j.cnki.1008-8873.2023.03.011
Zhang, Y., Dong, S., Gao, Q., Liu, S., Liang, Y., & Cao, X. (2016). Responses of alpine vegetation and soils to the disturbance of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) at burrow level on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau of China. Ecological Engineering, 88, 232-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.ECOLENG.2015.12.034
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Jan 6, 2025
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Liu, S., & Xu, D. (2025). Comprehensive Impact of Plateau Pika on Biota and Soil Structure in Its Habitat—A Case Study of the Tibetan Plateau. Environment, Social and Governance, 2(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.70267/krprc584