Local warming about 1.3 degree Celsius in alpine meadow has no effect on root vole [Microtus oeconomus L.] population during winter

The influence of air and soil warming on root vole (Microtus oeconomus L.) population was studied in winter period in top open chambers (OTC) (0.8–1.8 m²) warmed by conical fiberglass material and situated in alpine meadow (3250 m) at Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. The OTCs were distributed on an area of 30 × 30 m of experimental warming site; another site of the same area was a control one. The root vole population was investigated on two pairs of sites in “low-grazing” and “high-grazing” (by sheep) parts of the meadow; mark-recapture method was used. The winter-season averaged air and soil temperature inside of the chambers were 1.3°C higher than the temperature outside the chambers. The warming in the chambers had no statistically significant effect on root vole numbers, on average body mass of individual, and on average body mass of males and females. In conclusion, as small as 1.3°C warming of soil and air introduced locally and on small (several m²) scale, in the alpine meadow habitat in winter period, has possibly no effect on root vole numbers and biomass.