In this study pika (Ochotona princeps) grazing behavior and effects on vegetation in areas surrounding talus were measured by Huntly et al. Pika grazed all plants close to the talus and grazed more selectively as distance from talus increased. Plant abundance and species richness increased with distance from talus. Differences between grazing and haying behaviors appear to reflect differences in costs and benefits between these activities. When haying, pikas travelled significantly farther into the meadow from the talus border than when grazing. Pikas grazed year round, but hayed only during a restricted time (July through September) when plant biomass had peaked.
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