Study of the effect of burrows of European Badgers (Meles meles) on the initiation of breaching in dikes

Abstract

Abstract. Levees offer an ideal environment for the diffusion of European Badgers (Meles Meles), whose burrowing activity can be a main cause of breaching in dikes. This paper evaluates the contribution of burrows dug by badgers to the initiation of a dike failure. For example, a breach in a dike near Modena (Italy), where animal burrowing activity was active, took place on the 19th January 2014. While the distribution of the underground system inside the dike is usually unknown, the burrow entrances are easily identified along the slopes. Different scenarios of burrow entrances located along the outer and inner slope are considered and their contribution to sliding of the inner slope, microinstability and internal erosion is investigated. The most dangerous positions of entrances for the stability of the dike are assessed and presented.

Non‐invasive surveys to assess animal burrows as potential causes of levee instability

“…The dense reeds on the riverside slope of levees and their distance from people's activities entice biota (Taccari & van der Meij, 2016a), making levees the perfect habitat for the development of different animal species, especially burrowing animals. Past studies indicate the connection between levee failure mechanisms and animal activities (Bayoumi & Meguid, 2011;Camici et al, 2010;FEMA, 2005;Orlandini et al, 2015;Palladino et al, 2020;Taccari & van der Meij, 2016a;Taccari & van der Meij, 2016b). Nevertheless, these studies do not give sufficient indications about quantifying such an impact.…”