Conclusions

Tunnel Erosion Home | Distribution of Tunnel Erosion | Tunnel Initiation & Development | Reclamation of Tunnelled Land | References

As is evident from this introductory article, tunnelling is a complex form of water erosion that is not well understood and has often been grouped with gully erosion. Field observation of an affected site indicates a range of unusual landforms as a result of the subsurface nature of the process though, frequently, no obvious point of tunnel initiation. This type of land degradation represents a challenge to land managers and scientists concerned with the environment, not least owing to the variety of initiation mechanisms and soil characteristics that have been recorded. In order to be investigated thoroughly, tunnel erosion requires consideration of a range of environmental issues including land-use history and current land management practices, physiography, geomorphology, soil and water sodicity especially with respect to soil structural stability, as well as hydrology. Until multi-disciplinary investigations are conducted, the success of attempts to reclaim affected areas is likely to remain limited.