Habitat use of European badger in a mountainous landscape

Abstract The habitat use of European badgers Meles meles remains relatively understudied in mountainous environments, particularly in Alpine regions. In this study, we investigated the habitat use of European badgers in a study area within the Stelvio National Park (central Italian Alps) and assessed whether they exhibit different patterns compared to habitats commonly frequented by this species. We collected data from May to October between 2019 and 2023 using 45 camera traps randomly distributed over the study area, spanning elevations from 1400 to 2500 m a.s.l. We fitted a single-season, single-species occupancy model to calculate detection and occupancy probability as a function of site-specific environmental covariates. Our findings indicate that badgers primarily used areas with a high percentage of forest cover at lower elevation, favouring these habitats over higher elevation areas. Although badgers were detected at remarkably high elevations (up to 2406 m), most detections occurred below or near the treeline. This preference reflects the importance of forests, which provide abundant food resources and suitable soils for sett construction. Additionally, badgers tended to avoid north-facing slopes, possibly due to less favourable conditions such as colder temperatures. Furthermore, they showed a slight tendency to use steeper slopes (15–20 degrees) likely due to better drainage and more opportunities for sett construction, and appeared to be unaffected by human activity. These findings provide new insights into the habitat use of badgers in mountainous regions, highlighting the species’ plasticity and its ability to adapt to diverse landscapes and environmental conditions.