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.

摘要

高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）从事害虫防治已有多年历史，其依据是高原鼠兔负责高山草原退化并与牲畜争夺草料资源。但是，高原鼠兔是一种重要的物种，在青藏高原上具有多种益处，因为它（i）制作洞穴是蜥蜴和各种小鸟的主要栖息地；（ii）造成微生境干扰，从而促进植物物种丰富度的增加；（iii）几乎是所有高原捕食物种的主要猎物；（iv）为高山生态系统的动态平衡做出积极贡献。