Abstract：The influence of food supply and burrow density on mortality of the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae)in winter was measured in a 2 ×2 factorial experiment within a fenced field. In order to test the direct and indirect influence of the quality of habitat upon the mortality of plateau pika in winter,the minimum viable counting method was applied to calculate the population of plateau pikas before and after winter,and through measuring food supply and burrow density we could analyze their effects upon the mortality of plateau pika. The results showed the morality without food supplementation and with low burrow density was up to 71 % ,but only 47 % with food supplementation and high burrow density. Mortality was 60 % with food supplements and low burrow density,and 53 % without food supplements and high burrow density. Furthermore,the mortality of females was lower than that of males in all conditions. The conclusion was the greater food supply and lower burrow density can significantly decrease the mortality of plateau pika in winter,but the interaction effect of the two factors has not been detected in the research.
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