Abstract:

Objective To investigate the main factors affecting the microhabitat selection of plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) during summer in the alpine meadow and alpine desert of Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China and to provide a basis for the prevention and control of plateau pika. Methods A total of 69 test sample sites (5 m×5 m) in the caves with pika activity and 62 control sites in nearby similar habitats without pika activity were set and investigated from July to August 2012. The ecological factors of areas where the samples were located were recorded, including elevation, number of plant species, vegetation coverage, vegetation height, soil hardness, and distance from the roads. Results There were significant differences in vegetation height, vegetation density, slope, elevation, vegetation types, and soil hardness between the test sites and control sites (P＜0.05). According to the results of principal component analysis, the main factors affecting the habitat selection of plateau pika were slope (0.886), number of plant species (-0.865), and soil hardness (0.834). Conclusion The plateau pika prefers the habitats with higher elevation, steeper slope, lower vegetation height, higher vegetation density, and lower soil hardness in alpine meadow or alpine desert, which provides an important basis for regulating the population density of plateau pika by improving the vegetation.

Key words: Ochotona curzoniae, Microhabitat selection, Altun Mountain National Nature Reserve, Principal component analysis

摘要：

目的 研究阿尔金山国家级自然保护区高山草甸和高山荒漠区高原鼠兔夏季生境选择的主要影响因素,为科学防控提供依据。方法 2012年7－8月,累计设置和调查鼠兔活动洞群内5 m×5 m样方69个,另外在附近相同生境类型中无鼠兔活动地方设置对照样方62个。记录样方所在地的海拔高度、植物种数、植被盖度、植被高度、土壤硬度以及距道路的距离等指标。结果 活动洞群和对照样方植被高度、植被密度、坡度、海拔高度、植被类型和土壤硬度等生态因子方面差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。主成分分析表明影响高原鼠兔生境选择的主要因子依次是坡度(0.886)、植物种数(-0.865)和土壤硬度(0.834)。结论 高原鼠兔倾向于选择海拔高,坡度陡,植被高度低,而植物密度高,土壤硬度小的高寒草地或高寒荒漠生境。该结果为利用植被改良调控高原鼠兔密度提供了重要依据。

关键词: 高原鼠兔, 生境选择, 阿尔金山自然保护区, 主成分分析