Dynamics of greenhouse gas emission induced by different burrowing activities of fossorial vertebrates in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow ecosystem

Plateau zokor ( Myospalax baileyi ) and plateau pika ( Ochotona curzoniae ) are endemic fossorial vertebrates in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau alpine meadow ecosystem. Their different burrowing activities together transform soil structure and then significantly change the landscape of meadow ecosystem. However, how their burrowing activities impact greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the pattern of GHG emissions between different types of tunnel burrowing still remain obscure. In this study, we conducted in situ measurements quantitatively investigating the impacts of the different burrowing activities of zokors and pikas on three main GHG CO 2 , CH 4 , and N 2 O from an alpine meadow ecosystem in southeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. Our results showed that zokor hummocks and pika burrows were sources of CO 2 and N 2 O and sinks of CH 4 . Zokors burrowing increased N 2 O in the atmosphere, decreased CO 2 , and enhanced CH 4 absorbing, while pikas burrowing increased N 2 O in the atmosphere and enhanced CH 4 absorbing. Considering the controversial role of fossorial vertebrates in Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, this study also shed lights on effective management of animal activities with the aim of stabilizing or increasing ecosystem carbon sequestration.