Digging by badgers and rabbits on some wooded slopes in Belgium

Abstract

Abstract Eight forest areas, totalling 128.7 hectares, located near the northern border area of the Belgian Ardennes, have been surveyed for soil material brought to the surface by burrowing animals. It appeared that at least 7003.6 kg/ha were present, brought up by badgers and rabbits. The amount turned out to vary a factor 10 3 between the eight regions. During the half year survey period badgers added some 570 kg to their mounds. On this basis the rate of mass transport effected directly by badgers may be estimated at an insignificant 0.02 gcm −1 y −1 . Also, production of available sediment by these animals is relatively unimportant in this temperate humid forest environment.