Study

Use of badger tunnels on Highway Agency schemes in England

  • Published source details Eldridge B. & Wynn J. (2011) Use of badger tunnels on Highway Agency schemes in England. Conservation Evidence, 8, 53-57.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Install barrier fencing and underpasses along roads

Action Link
Terrestrial Mammal Conservation
  1. Install barrier fencing and underpasses along roads

    A replicated study in 2010 at 38 sites along nine roads in England, UK (Eldridge & Wynn 2011) found that underpasses, in areas with roadside fencing, were used by badgers Meles meles, Eurasian otters Lutra lutra, red foxes Vulpes vulpes, European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus and brown rats Rattus rattus to cross roads. Of 38 underpasses monitored, 34 were used by badgers. Eurasian otters, red foxes, European hedgehogs and brown rats used underpasses, but the number of underpasses used or crossing frequencies are not reported. Badger footprints were recorded 7–8 times in 14 underpasses, 4–6 times in 11 underpasses and 1–3 times in 9 underpasses. Mammals were monitored in 38 underpasses, installed in 2003–2007, under single carriageway roads (16 underpasses), dual carriageways (20 underpasses), a motorway (one underpass) and a junction (one underpass). Underpasses were 20–120 m long, 0.3–1 m in diameter (most were 0.6 m diameter) and were made of concrete and corrugated iron. Roadside fence characteristics are not specified. Mammals were surveyed weekly, between August and October 2010, by monitoring footprints in a clay mat (45 × 45 cm) at the entrance of each underpass.

    (Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha )

Output references
What Works 2021 cover

What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

More about What Works in Conservation

Download free PDF or purchase
The Conservation Evidence Journal

The Conservation Evidence Journal

An online, free to publish in, open-access journal publishing results from research and projects that test the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Read the latest volume: Volume 21

Go to the CE Journal

Discover more on our blog

Our blog contains the latest news and updates from the Conservation Evidence team, the Conservation Evidence Journal, and our global partners in evidence-based conservation.


Who uses Conservation Evidence?

Meet some of the evidence champions

Endangered Landscape ProgrammeRed List Champion - Arc Kent Wildlife Trust The Rufford Foundation Save the Frogs - Ghana Mauritian Wildlife Supporting Conservation Leaders
Sustainability Dashboard National Biodiversity Network Frog Life The international journey of Conservation - Oryx Cool Farm Alliance UNEP AWFA Bat Conservation InternationalPeople trust for endangered species Vincet Wildlife Trust