pika

This resource includes water contents(θ%) collected within the sandbox experiments and numerical simulations.We investigated the pika, a small mammal of ecological significance distributed across the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and adjacent regions. This species excavates burrows on the soil surface, leading to soil disturbance and the formation of preferential flow pathways. To explore the influence of pika burrowing activity on preferential flow, we employed both sandbox experiments and numerical simulations. Based on field investigations of pika burrows in the Zoige wetland, we constructed artificial burrows to replicate and examine this phenomenon. The analysis primarily relied on volumetric water content data (θ%) recorded by moisture sensors. After validating the simulation results with experimental data, we further analyzed preferential flow behavior under different burrow configurations.