高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对高山嵩草群落及其主要种群空间分布特征的影响

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)有效洞穴密度变化会引发高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)草甸植物群落及其种群分布格局发生变化。采用野外调查法研究了高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对高山嵩草群落特征及其主要种群分布格局的影响。结果表明:随高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度增加,高山嵩草草甸植物群落的优势种没发生明显变化,部分伴生种发生更替;高度、盖度、多样性指数和均匀度指数呈现降低态势;地上生物量和丰富度指数变化不明显;高山嵩草和矮火绒草(Leontopodium nanum)种群的盖度、密度以及生物量均呈现降低态势,而达乌里秦艽(Gentiana dahurica)和小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis var.flore-minors)种群的盖度、密度和生物量呈增加趋势。高山嵩草和矮火绒草的种群分布格局从8个/625m2和14个/625m2的聚集分布分别变为34个/625m2时的均匀分布和随机分布,达乌里秦艽和小花草玉梅种群从8个/625m2和14个/625m2的随机分布变为23个/625m2和34个/625m2时的聚集分布,这说明高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度变化改变了高山嵩草群落的特征和主要植物种群的空间分布格局,而对应群落特征和种群分布格局改变的有效洞穴密度为14个/625m2和23个/625m2。     

青藏高原高寒草甸生态系统高原鼠兔种群调查及其防控阈值研究（英文）

认识高原鼠兔Ochotona curzoniae在草地退化中的角色和地位,对于加强高寒草甸生态系统高原鼠兔种群管理具有重要的意义。以高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度为调查对象,根据所调查的12个样地遴选出4个不同鼠洞等级的研究样地去评估鼠兔数量和植物生物量变化之间的关系。主要结论如下:高原鼠兔活动并非引起草地退化的原因,而是作为草地退化的标志性信号,然而高频度的鼠兔活动会加剧草地逆向演替的进程。因此,一些综合措施诸如减少牲畜数量、动态的轮牧、草地恢复管理技术、社区参与式管理等可以有效提高草地生产力和防止鼠害爆发。对各类型退化草地进行综合治理时,应加强对害鼠种群动态的监测,当种群密度超过经济阈值或达到高密度种群时,应急性、常规性灭鼠工作才可以实施,为重度型退化草地重建、植被恢复和土壤发育提供可能性。     

不同放牧模式下高原鼠兔洞口的空间分布格局变化

2019年4-11月,在四川省若尔盖县选取全年禁牧、冬季放牧、全年放牧3种放牧模式样地,对高原鼠兔（Ochotona curzoniae）洞口的数量、空间分布格局变化及影响因子进行了研究。计算平均最近邻指数和S²/m比值来分析样方（10 m×10 m）和样地水平下的空间分布格局,通过非参数检验评估空间分布格局在不同放牧模式间和月份间的差异显著性。结果显示：（1）高原鼠兔的洞口总数和有效洞口数在不同放牧模式间均存在显著差异,以冬季放牧模式的洞口数量最多;冬季放牧和全年禁牧模式的洞口数量在月份间有显著变化;（2）无论样方和样地水平,洞口空间分布格局在不同放牧模式间都存在显著差异;在同一放牧模式下,所有洞口和有效洞口的分布型存在差异;（3）植被高度和盖度与高原鼠兔的洞口数量和洞口分布格局相关;（4）洞口数量与平均最近邻指数有显著正相关关系。研究结果说明：不同放牧模式会影响高原鼠兔的空间利用模式及种群动态;高原鼠兔洞口数量及分布型受到植被高度和盖度的影响。     

高寒草甸灭鼠后鼠兔和鼢鼠数量恢复的数学模型

灭鼠后残鼠种群的恢复研究具有重要意义。为使防治工作更有效,1976—1980年,我们在青海省门源县海北高寒草甸生态系统定位研究站调查了高原鼠兔和中华鼢鼠的种群恢复过程,发现灭鼠后残鼠数量按逻辑斯蒂曲线增长。 残鼠数量恢复时间t与种群返回时间t_r呈正比。灭鼠后数量恢复时间可按下式估计: 每年杀灭种群一定比例,残鼠数量恢复的数学模型如下; 每年杀灭一定数量,残鼠数量恢复的模型如下: 高原鼠兔和中华鼢鼠的残鼠种群恢复速度不同。根据上述数学模型估计,高原鼠兔数量恢复较快,丽中华鼢鼠较慢,因此,其最适灭鼠率也不相同。若每年杀灭一次,对于高原鼠兔,杀灭率必须在80％以上,对于中华鼢鼠,必须在70％以上。     

鼠害治理条件下鼠类群落变动的生态过程

在高寒草甸鼠害治理过程中,因治理方式、强度以及环境的差异,鼠类群落的变动表现出不同的特点。次生植被地区,灭杀高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔后,经补播、封育、灭杀残存高原鼢鼠等综合治理,５年内,高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔种群数量显著低于灭杀前（Ｐ＜０．０５）,根田鼠和甘肃鼠兔种群数量剧烈波动,鼠类群落多样性、均匀度指数年间波动大,群落不稳定;仅使用药物灭杀高原鼢鼠和高原鼠兔,３年后,高原鼢鼠种群数量与灭杀前无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）,鼠类群落多样性、均匀度指数在灭鼠当年下降,以后各年间变动不显著。原生植被地区,使用药物灭杀高原鼠兔,高原鼢鼠种群数量上升,围栏封育措施,对高原鼠兔种群的增长有显著的抑制作用（Ｐ＜０．０５）,但对高原鼢鼠作用不显著（Ｐ＞０．０５）;单一药物灭杀高原鼠兔,鼠类群落多样性、均匀度指数无显著变化,灭杀３年后,高原鼠兔种群数量与灭杀前无显著差异（Ｐ＞０．０５）,高原鼢鼠显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）。人工大量捕杀高原鼢鼠,非围栏封育地区,高原鼠兔种群显著增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）。     

高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群暴发区干扰斑块空间分布格局与演替规律

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)是两种在高寒草甸广泛分布的小型哺乳动物,其暴发活动可能造成高寒草甸的严重退化。使用无人机分别拍摄典型的高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群暴发区图像,解译高原鼠兔洞口、高原鼢鼠土丘和它们的干扰斑块,获得干扰斑块的周长和面积信息,计算干扰斑块形状指标,确定高原鼠兔与高原鼢鼠暴发活动对高寒草甸的影响。研究表明：(1)高原鼠兔与高原鼢鼠暴发活动形成的干扰斑块周长与面积比(PARA)、形状指数(SHAPE)和分形维数(FRAC)差异显著(P<0.05),其中高原鼢鼠斑块的FRAC是1.0124±0.0091,属于普通的规则几何圆形分布格局,高原鼠兔斑块的FRAC是1.1203±0.0546,属于分形几何不规则的分布格局。(2)高原鼠兔洞口数量与其斑块面积没有线性相关关系(P=0.9677),高原鼢鼠土丘数量与其斑块面积呈显著正相关(P<0.05)。(3)高原鼢鼠斑块面积统计学上呈长尾分布,不符合正态分布(P<0.01)。根据高原鼠兔斑块面积分布格局可将斑块演替分为三个阶段：土丘形成阶段、斑块连通...     

食物及洞道密度对高原鼠兔冬季死亡率的影响

本研究在野外围栏条件下采用2×2 析因实验设计,通过最小存活数法分别统计冬季前后种群数量,测定附加食物及洞道密度对高原鼠兔冬季死亡率的影响,旨在检验栖息地质量对降低高原鼠兔冬季死亡率的效应。4种野外实验处理2 个重复的研究结果表明,夏季无附加食物与低密度洞道处理组高原鼠兔冬季死亡率为71% ;而附加食物和高密度洞道处理冬季死亡率仅为47% ;添加食物和低密度洞道及无附加食物和高密度洞道处理组种群死亡率分别为60% 和53% 。每一处理组雌性死亡率均显著低于雄性。夏季添加食物和增加洞道密度均能明显地降低高原鼠兔种群冬季死亡率,但无显著的交互作用。     

青藏高原东缘高寒草原有毒植物分布与高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠的相关性

青藏高原高寒草原生态系统是我国特有的生态系统类型,由于受到人为破坏的影响,目前该地区草原生态系统功能退化,优良牧草减少,有毒植物蔓延。高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)和高原鼢鼠(Myospalax baileyi)是青藏高原东缘高寒草原中最重要的两种小型哺乳动物,其采食行为和挖掘洞穴的生活特性必然对生态系统产生影响,但其与有毒植物之间的互作关系尚未揭示。基于此,在甘肃省玛曲县河曲马场自然生长的高寒草原生态系统中开展了有毒植物的分布与高原鼠兔、高原鼢鼠之间的相关性研究。结果表明,该高寒草原生态系统中分布有毒植物27种,分属于菊科、豆科、毛茛科等11科。在此基础上,测定了该地区有毒植物的生物多样性指数、均匀度指数和丰富度指数,并探究了单位面积条件下有毒植物的分布特征与高原鼠兔和高原鼢鼠种群密度之间的相关性,发现该地区高寒草原有毒植物的蔓延与高原鼠兔的密度之间存在密切的负相关关系(P0.05),而与高原鼢鼠的相关性不显著(P0.05)。     

高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对青藏高原高寒草甸群落植物生态位的影响

高原鼠兔(Ochotona curzoniae)有效洞穴密度扩增会引起高寒草甸植物群落组分的变化。采用野外调查方法研究了高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度对青藏高原高寒草甸群落植物生态位的影响。结果表明:随高原鼠兔有效洞穴密度增加,样方内植物种数逐渐增多,但主要是毒杂草,有效洞穴密度超过15个/625m2时豆科植物出现。优势种高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)的重要值随有效洞穴密度增加呈单峰曲线,峰值出现在15个/625m2。有效洞穴密度低于或等于21个/625m2时,优势种高山嵩草生态位宽度位居第一,但有效洞穴密度达31个/625m2时,其生态位宽度降至并列第三,低于小米草(Euphrasia pectinata)和钝裂银莲花(Anemone obtusiloba),等同于小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis)和乳浆大戟(Euphorbia esula)。有效洞穴密度分别为10个/625m2,15个/625m2,21个/625m2,31个/625m2时,与高山嵩草生态位重叠度最大的物种分别为莓叶委陵菜(Potentilla fragarioides)、圆叶筋骨草(Ajuga ovalifolia)、乳浆大戟、条叶垂头菊(Cremanthodium lineare)。有效洞穴密度为10个/625m2时,高山嵩草是群落内种群间竞争最激烈的一方,但有效洞穴密度超过或等于15个/625m2时,高山嵩草则退出了种群间竞争最激烈的双方。说明高原鼠兔有效密度增加严重影响了高寒草甸群落组分、重要值、生态位宽度和生态位重叠值。     

不同种群密度下高原鼠兔的行为模式

在2003年高原鼠兔(Ochotonacurzoniae)的繁殖初期、繁殖盛期、繁殖中期和繁殖末期,采用目标动物取样法对其不同种群密度条件下的行为模式进行研究,探讨高原鼠兔的行为变化和种群密度的相互关系。结果表明:在繁殖盛期和繁殖中期,低密度种群内雌性高原鼠兔的观望时间均显著高于高密度种群内,而在其它两个时期内无明显不同;雄性高原鼠兔的观望时间在不同密度间比较均无显著差异;同一密度条件下,雄性高原鼠兔的观望行为持续时间和发生频次均表现显著的季节性变化,而雌性高原鼠兔无明显差异。高原鼠兔的地面活动时间在不同种群密度间比较无显著差异。低密度种群内,雄性高原鼠兔的地面移动距离和频次均呈显著的季节性差异,而雌性高原鼠兔的差异不显著;高密度种群内,雌、雄个体的地面移动距离和频次都具有显著的季节性差异。在高原鼠兔的社会行为中,亲昵行为和攻击行为强度在不同种群密度间比较均无显著差异;在同一密度条件下,亲昵行为和攻击行为强度也没有表现出明显的季节性变化。以上结果说明高原鼠兔的行为变化与其繁殖期和性别有明显的关系,而在密度间无明显的差异,其主要原因是在不同的繁殖期,动物的繁殖投入不同,导致行为模式产生差异     

Effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on soil physicochemical property of the bare land and vegetation land in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

The available burrow densities of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) regulate the soil physicochemical property in alpine meadow. A field survey was conducted to investigate the effect of available burrow densities of plateau pika on soil physicochemical property of bare land (bare patch produced by burrowing behavior of plateau pika) and vegetation land (land covered with vegetation). This study indicated that the increase in available burrow of plateau pika caused the soil water content at 0–10 cm layer of bare land and that at 10–20 cm of vegetation land to reduce, and caused the soil water content at 10– 20 cm layer of bare land and that at 0–10 cm layer of vegetation land to firstly increase and then decline. In the increasing process of available burrow of plateau pika, the soil silt content firstly increased and then decreased, and soil sand content firstly decreased and then increased. With the increase of available burrow of plateau pika, the soil porosity at 0–10 cm layer of bare land and that at 10–20 cm layer of vegetation land decreased, while the soil porosity at 10–20 cm layer of bare land and that at 0–10 cm of vegetation land firstly increased and then decreased. Soil pH value, soil organic matter, total nitrogen and total phosphorus content firstly increased and then decreased, peaking at 14 available burrows per 625 m², while total soil potassium content did not respond to available burrow densities of plateau pika. This study suggested that the proper available burrows existing in the alpine meadow increased soil permeability, accelerated soil moisture to penetrate deeply, increased the proportion of soil silt, and improved the soil nutrient; however, this beneficial effect was strongly influenced by the available burrow density of plateau pika, implying that plateau pika did not benefit soil structure when its available burrow was over 34 number/625 m².     

Characterization of the spatial distribution of plateau pika burrows along an alpine grassland degradation gradient on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

Plateau pika burrows are common feature of degraded grassland in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) and serve as an important indicator of pika activity and grassland degradation. However, the current understanding of the spatial pattern changes of pika burrows and their critical thresholds across a degradation gradient in alpine grassland is deficient. In this study, we investigated and quantified changes in the spatial pattern of plateau pika burrows under typical degraded alpine shrub meadows in the northeastern QTP using an unmanned aerial vehicle and landscape pattern metrics. The degradation of the alpine shrub meadow leads to a change in landscape pattern from a two‐layered structure of alpine shrub and alpine meadow to a mosaic of alpine meadow and bare soil, with plateau pika burrows scattered throughout. Moderate degradation is the tipping point for changes in surface landscape patterns, followed by the disappearance of alpine shrub, the retreat of alpine meadows and the encroachment of bare soil, and the increasing density and size of pika burrows. The area characteristics of alpine meadows have influenced changes in the spatial pattern of pika burrow, and maintaining its proportional area is a vital measure to control the threat of pika burrows to pastures. The results of this paper provide a methodological reference and guidance for the sustainable utilization of grassland on the QTP.     

Response of alpine meadow communities to burrow density changes of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a key component of alpine meadow ecosystem in the Qinghai- Tibetan Plateau, and the increase of its number leads plant components of alpine meadow ecosystem to adaptively response. A field survey was carried out to determine the response of alpine meadow community to population densities of plateau pika by using available burrow density to replace the population density of plateau pika. This study showed that the height of alpine meadow communities gradually increased, and the cover of alpine meadow communities firstly decreased, and then increased as the available burrow density increased. With the increase of available burrow density, the richness index of alpine meadow communities firstly decreased and then increased, and the evenness index of alpine meadow communities firstly increased and then decreased, however, the diversity index of alpine meadow communities firstly increased, and then decreased, finally increased. In the increasing process of available burrow density, the total plant biomass and the unpalatable plant biomass firstly decreased and then increased, and the palatable plant biomass firstly increased and then decreased, indicating that the palatable plant biomass was the highest and the unpalatable plant biomass was the lowest at 14 available burrow per 625 m². In the economic groups of plant biomass, the weed biomass was the highest and the legume biomass was the lowest at any available burrow densities, and the grass biomass and the sedge biomass were related to available burrow densities, indicating that the sedge biomass were bigger than the grass biomass at 3 available burrow per 625 m², inverse at 54 available burrow per 625 m², similar between 3 and 34 available burrow per 625 m². Accompanying by the increase of available burrow densities, the legume biomass and the sedge biomass significantly decreased (P < 0.05) and the legume became disappearance at 54 available burrow per 625 m²; the grass biomass firstly increased and then decreased, peaking at 14 available burrow per 625 m². The weed biomass firstly decreased and then increased, and was the lowest at 14 available burrow per 625 m². This study suggested that the responses of alpine meadow communities to population density of plateau pika at 14 available burrows per 625 m² were more sensitive than that at other available burrow per 625 m² from plant species diversity, biomass, height, cover and economic group.     

高原鼠兔干扰对高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分间关系的影响

高原鼠兔干扰虽然能够改变高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分含量,但植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系对高原鼠兔干扰的响应尚不清晰。利用高原鼠兔有效洞口密度将高原鼠兔干扰程度划分为T_1(7个/625 m~2)、T_2(12个/625 m~2)、T_3(22个/625m~2)、T_4(38个/625 m~2)4个水平,运用RDA冗余分析法研究了高原鼠兔不同干扰程度下高寒草甸植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系。结果表明:随着高原鼠兔干扰水平的增加,优势种高山嵩草(Kobresia pygmaea)的重要值先增加后降低,而伴生种小花草玉梅(Anemone rivularis var.flore-minors)和莓叶委陵菜(Potentilla fragarioides)的重要值先降低后增加;当高原鼠兔干扰水平从T_1到T_2时植物多样性指数变化不显著,而高原鼠兔干扰程度超过T_2时则植物多样性指数具有降低趋势;土壤全氮和硝态氮含量随高原鼠兔干扰水平增加而降低,而土壤铵态氮含量则降低后增加,土壤有机碳和全磷先增加后降低;多样性指数与0—10cm土壤深度硝态氮、10—20cm土壤深度全钾间的相关性从T_1到T_3时为正相关,而到T_4时则变为负相关,而与0—10cm土壤深度全氮的相关性则表现T_1到T_3时为负相关,T_4时为正相关,与铵态氮间相关性只有T_1时为负相关,这说明高原鼠兔干扰改变了植物多样性与土壤养分间的关系,其变化阈值介于T_2和T_3。     

Effects of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on net ecosystem carbon exchange of grassland in the Three Rivers Headwaters region, Qinghai-Tibet, China

Background and aim

Because the indigenous burrowing lagomorph plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is considered to have negative ecological impacts on alpine meadow steppe grasslands of the Headwaters Region of the Yellow, Yangtze and Mekong Rivers we investigated its effects on ecosystem productivity and soil properties, and especially net ecosystem carbon flux.

Methods

We measured net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE) and its components gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) at peak aboveground biomass by the chamber method with reference to plant and soil characteristics of areas of alpine meadow steppe with different densities of pika burrows.

Results

Higher burrow density decreased NEE, GEP and ER. Above-ground biomass, species number, plant cover and leaf area index decreased with increasing pika density. Higher burrow density was associated with lower soil moisture and higher soil temperature. Responses of NEE were related to changes of abiotic and biotic factors affecting its two components. NEE was positively related to soil moisture, soil ammonium nitrogen, plant cover, leaf area index and above-ground biomass but was negatively correlated with higher soil nitrate nitrogen.

Conclusion

Decrease of NEE by plateau pika may reduce the carbon sink balance of Qinghai-Tibet plateau grassland. Such effects may be influenced by grazing pressure from domestic livestock, population levels of natural predators, and climate change.     

祁连山东段高原鼢鼠洞道土壤微生物和土壤酶

高原鼢鼠繁杂的洞道系统对高寒草甸土壤的理化性质有着重要影响。本研究采集高原鼢鼠活动洞道土壤样本,并以无鼢鼠扰动的同深度土层土壤作为对照。对比分析了2个处理土壤微生物（细菌、真菌、放线菌）、土壤酶（脲酶、蔗糖酶、碱性磷酸酶）活性以及土壤全氮、有机质、速效磷含量的差异。结果表明：高原鼢鼠洞道土壤速效磷和全氮的含量均高于对照,其中春季和秋季的速效磷达到显著水平（P<0.05）;秋季无鼢鼠扰动的土壤有机质和真菌的含量显著高于洞道土壤（P<0.05）;3种酶活性各处理间无显著差异（P>0.05）;对照区春季土壤的细菌和秋季真菌的含量显著高于洞道土壤（P<0.05）;洞道和对照区土壤的细菌、放线菌、速效磷、全氮和有机质的含量均在夏季达到最大值,各种指标其它月份差异不显著（P>0.05）。基于以上结果,本研究发现高原鼢鼠活动洞道土壤微生物和土壤酶与对照区土壤无显著差异（P>0.05）。