# Capturing Mechanism and Sustainable Control of Plateau Pika (Ochotona curzoniae) Using a Grassland Guidance Trap System on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau

## TL;DR

A new trap system effectively and sustainably controls plateau pika populations on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, reducing environmental damage.

## Contribution

The Grassland Guidance Trap System offers a sustainable, non-chemical method for plateau pika control with proven long-term effectiveness.

## Key findings

- The trap system captured 2.62 times more plateau pikas through behavioral guidance.
- A 600-day trial showed a 46.38% reduction in pika activity within 100 m and 20.45% at 500 m.
- The system's effectiveness increased over time, demonstrating long-term sustainability.

## Abstract

On the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, overpopulated small terrestrial mammals (e.g., rodents and lagomorphs) accelerate grassland degeneration, harming both the environment and people’s livelihoods. Commonly used chemical controls are also damaging and do not offer long–term solutions. To address this, we developed and tested a new, environmentally friendly method—a Grassland Guidance Trap System that uses guide nets to direct small terrestrial mammals toward capture devices. Our results show that these nets effectively attract and channel plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae), making the traps 2.62 times more effective. In a large 600–day field trial, the system worked better the longer it was deployed, reducing plateau pika activity by 46.38% within 100 m and sustaining a 20.45% control rate out to 500 m. This demonstrates that the system is a practical, long–lasting way to manage plateau pika populations. Our work provides a sustainable approach for restoring and protecting the grassland ecosystems of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, contributing to the maintenance of ecological balance and health.

Infestations of small terrestrial mammals (e.g., rodents and lagomorphs) on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau pose formidable challenges, which are exacerbated by the region’s vast expanse and extreme environmental conditions. Conventional chemical treatments have proven unsustainable and environmentally detrimental, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions. We introduce the Grassland Guidance Trap System (GGTS), an innovative control method specifically designed for ecologically sensitive plateau regions experiencing severe small terrestrial mammal infestations. In this study, we systematically investigated the capturing mechanisms of the GGTS and its sustained control effect during large–scale enclosed field deployment. The results demonstrate that the guide net achieves a 2.62–fold increase in the number of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) captured through targeted behavioral guidance; field–based behavioral trials confirm that the guide net significantly elevates plateau pikas’ observation area entries and observation area duration in adjacent areas. The open–field test demonstrated that the movement distance and activity time of plateau pikas in the corner area of the device were both significantly higher than those in the central area. In addition, rigorous 600–day field tests across 400 hm2 confirmed the system’s exceptional efficacy, reducing plateau pika density by 46.38% within 100 m and 20.45% at 500 m. Notably, its effectiveness improved over time, highlighting its potential as a scalable, sustainable management solution. This research not only establishes the GGTS as a viable solution for plateau pika control but also represents a significant advancement in ecological plateau pika management, fostering long–term ecological balance on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.