The influence of large grassland herbivores on soil macro and mesofauna invertebrate diversity has been extensively studied. However, little is known about how small semi-fossorial herbivores affect this diversity. To address this knowledge gap, we investigated the effects of the plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) on soil macro and mesofauna invertebrate diversity in alpine meadows on the Eastern Tibetan Plateau. We integrated data on vegetation community characteristics and soil physical variables to explore the mechanism by which small semifossorial herbivores influence soil macro and mesofauna invertebrate communities at different intensities of disturbance by plateau pika. We found that as pika disturbance intensity increased, vegetation cover, height, above-ground biomass, soil moisture, and soil compaction decreased, while below-ground biomass and soil temperature increased. Plant richness, plant diversity, and the diversity and abundance of soil macro and mesofauna invertebrates initially increased with rising disturbance, peaked at light levels of disturbance, and then declined. Whereas plant diversity peaked at moderate disturbance levels. In addition, the diversity and abundance of soil macro and mesofauna herbivores, detritivores and omnivores showed a clear correlation with the disturbance intensity, whereas predator populations remained unaffected. Structural equation modelling showed that pika disturbance enhanced soil macro and mesofauna invertebrate diversity (Shannon-Wiener index) through alterations in vegetation cover. These results suggest that semi-fossorial herbivores play a crucial role in shaping vegetation and soil properties, thereby indirectly affecting the diversity, richness, abundance of soil macro and mesofauna invertebrates. Optimal levels of semi-fossorial herbivore activity appear to be vital for the maintenance of soil macro and mesofauna invertebrate diversity in the alpine meadows of the QTP. We suggest that future management strategies for pikas should shift from traditional large-scale eradication to ecological control based on population density thresholds.