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The badger in GB: present and future populations
Journal Biological Journal of the Linnean Society Volume 38 Issue 1,Pages 91-101 Published Online: 14 Jan 2008 Abstract Over the past 150 years the badger is believed to have undergone major changes in status, and possibly also in distribution. In the last century persecution by gamekeepers in particular had an impact on badger numbers, especially in East Anglia. More recent changes in badger numbers and the need for a quantified base line survey against which to monitor future population changes provided the stimulus for a quantified national badger survey. This was achieved in the mid-1980s by a stratified survey in which pre-selected one kilometre squares used in the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology land classification system were surveyed for badgers. A total of 2455 squares (1.05%) of the land area of Britain) was surveyed, and this provided a means to (a) assess the current distribution and status of the badger, (b) assess the current levels of persecution of badgers and (c) monitor future badger population changes. Currently there are approximately 43 000 badger social groups in Britain. Sett blocking and badger digging were found to he widespread, and their effects on the badger population are discussed, as are the effects of the current TB control operations in south-west Britain. Future patterns of land use, particularly in response to changes in farming practice, could have significant effects on badger numbers. These are discussed in relation to potential changes in the Common Agricultural Policy. The effects of an expansion of forestry and the spread of urban areas on badger numbers are also estimated. Keywords Badgers • Great Britain • status • distribution numbers • persecution • future changes • land use • agricultural policy Web site
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