Small mammalian herbivores at moderate densities facilitate livestock growth by improving vegetation composition in grasslands
· 2026-09-08 · 原文
Small mammals and large herbivores have co-evolved in grasslands for millions of years, yet how they interact remains unclear. Although large herbivores can significantly affect the smaller ones, the reverse effect is largely unknown. On the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, plateau pikas ( Ochotona curzoniae ) are often considered pests that compete with livestock at high densities. Using field experiments, we show that the presence of pikas facilitates weight gains of yaks ( Bos grunniens ) by improving vegetation composition at a moderate density level. Compared to the pika-present treatment, pika removal dramatically increased cover of the poisonous Stellera forbs by twofold, reducing the abundance and protein content of palatable grasses and sedges, yak foraging efficiency, and yak weight gain
讲义
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1. 人话版
Small mammals and large herbivores have co-evolved in grasslands for millions of years, yet how they interact remains unclear.
Although large herbivores can significantly affect the smaller ones, the reverse effect is largely unknown.
2. 领域脉络
On the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, plateau pikas ( Ochotona curzoniae ) are often considered pests that compete with livestock at high densities.
3. 机制拆解
Using field experiments, we show that the presence of pikas facilitates weight gains of yaks ( Bos grunniens ) by improving vegetation composition at a moderate density level.
Compared to the pika-present treatment, pika removal dramatically increased cover of the poisonous Stellera forbs by twofold, reducing the abundance and protein content of palatable grasses and sedges, yak foraging efficiency, and yak weight gain
4. 证据与数字
摘要未给出量化结果——留意原文的实验与数据。
5. 反例与边界
摘要未声明局限与反例——这是需要警惕的信号，精读时先问边界。
6. 跨领域连接与意外收获
思考本文机制能否迁移到你正在跟进的问题。
7. 可复用方法
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8. 术语表
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