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 resou...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 equilibriumof alpine ecosystems.展开更多
文摘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 equilibriumof alpine ecosystems.