Journal ArticleDOI
The plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae ) is a keystone species for biodiversity on the Tibetan plateau
Andrew T. Smith,Marc Foggin +1 more
TLDR
The plateau pika should be managed in concert with other uses of the land to ensure preservation of China’s native biodiversity, as well as long-term sustainable use of the pastureland by domestic livestock.Abstract:
It is necessary to look at the big picture when managing biological resources on the Qinghai‐Xizang (Tibetan) plateau. Plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) are poisoned widely across the plateau. Putative reasons for these control measures are that pika populations may reach high densities and correspondingly reduce forage for domestic livestock (yak, sheep, horses), and because they may be responsible for habitat degradation. In contrast, we highlight the important role the plateau pika plays as a keystone species in the Tibetan plateau ecosystem. The plateau pika is a keystone species because it: (i) makes burrows that are the primary homes to a wide variety of small birds and lizards; (ii) creates microhabitat disturbance that results in an increase in plant species richness; (iii) serves as the principal prey for nearly all of the plateau’s predator species; (iv) contributes positively to ecosystem-level dynamics. The plateau pika should be managed in concert with other uses of the land to ensure preservation of China’s native biodiversity, as well as long-term sustainable use of the pastureland by domestic livestock.read more
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
Rangeland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau: A review of the evidence of its magnitude and causes
TL;DR: The extent and magnitude of rangeland degradation on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau (QTP) remains largely unknown because monitoring programs have been subjective and poorly documented as mentioned in this paper.
Journal ArticleDOI
Grassland ecosystems in China: review of current knowledge and research advancement
TL;DR: Major findings of scientific significance in China's grassland ecosystem research include: (i) improved knowledge on succession and biogeochemistry of the semi-arid and temperate grassland ecosystems, and (ii) development of effective management strategies for controlling rodent pests in grass land ecosystems.
BookDOI
A Guide to the Mammals of China
TL;DR: Smith and Xie as discussed by the authors published a book "A Guide to the Mammals of China", which is a guide to the animals of China and their relationships with humans, including the relationship between humans and animals.
References
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Journal ArticleDOI
Global biodiversity assessment
TL;DR: The Global Biodiversity Assessment (GBA) project as mentioned in this paper has been used to assess the global biodiversity of plants and its relationships with its components. But it has not yet been used for the assessment of the global ecosystem.
Book
1996 IUCN Red List of Threatened Animals
TL;DR: The "1994 Red List of Threatened Animals" as mentioned in this paper was a major advance on its predecessors in clarity of layout and amount of information presented, and was taken further in the 1996 edition, which was also the first global compilation to use the complete new IUCN red list category system.
Journal ArticleDOI
The Black-Tailed Prairie Dog: Social Life of a Burrowing Mammal
Rosie Woodroffe,John L. Hoogland +1 more
Book
The Black-Tailed Prairie Dog: Social Life of a Burrowing Mammal
TL;DR: John L. Hoogland draws on 16 years of research at Wind Cave Na tional Park, South Dakota, in the United States, to provide this account of prairie dog social behaviour, which illuminates the social organization of a burrowing mammal and raises fundamental questions about current theory.
Related Papers (5)
Keystone status of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae): Effect of control on biodiversity of native birds
Chien Hsun Lai,Andrew T. Smith +1 more