Cave conservation
Encyclopedia
Cave conservation is the protection and restoration of caves to prevent or minimise the effects of human activity on cave
s.
Some caves have delicate features that can be disturbed by changes in light levels, humidity and air flow. Caves that have lighting that remains on are prone to having algae grow within the cave changing the appearance and ecology. Speleothems grow as a result of water both on cave surfaces and the humidity of the cave air. Changes to these because of a high number of visitors, changes to the cave air flow and changes to the hydrology
will change the speleothem development.
Speleothems can have a slow growth rate and therefore removing them as souvenirs or breakage due to movement within the cave will be visible for a long time.
The use of calcium carbide
for lamps has led to soot marks and deposits of discarded spent carbide. Using electric lamps avoide these problems.
(NZSS), a recreational caving organisation, promotes cave conservation by its members. The Department of Conservation (DoC) is responsible for caves on land under its administration and has developed a management policy for caves and karst
. DoC publish a "Caving care code" which is in turn based in part on the caving ethics of NZSS.
administers the United Kingdom Cave Conservation Emergency Fund (UKCCEF), a charitable fund for protection of caves and cave features. The aims are:
The National Caving Association has a Cave Conservation Code with the following recommendations:
believes:
The Cave Research Foundation
(CRF) is an American private, non-profit group dedicated to the exploration, research, and conservation of caves.
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
s.
Some caves have delicate features that can be disturbed by changes in light levels, humidity and air flow. Caves that have lighting that remains on are prone to having algae grow within the cave changing the appearance and ecology. Speleothems grow as a result of water both on cave surfaces and the humidity of the cave air. Changes to these because of a high number of visitors, changes to the cave air flow and changes to the hydrology
Hydrology
Hydrology is the study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth and other planets, including the hydrologic cycle, water resources and environmental watershed sustainability...
will change the speleothem development.
Speleothems can have a slow growth rate and therefore removing them as souvenirs or breakage due to movement within the cave will be visible for a long time.
The use of calcium carbide
Calcium carbide
thumb|right|Calcium carbide.Calcium carbide is a chemical compound with the chemical formula of CaC2. The pure material is colorless, however pieces of technical grade calcium carbide are grey or brown and consist of only 80-85% of CaC2 . Because of presence of PH3, NH3, and H2S it has a...
for lamps has led to soot marks and deposits of discarded spent carbide. Using electric lamps avoide these problems.
New Zealand
The New Zealand Speleological SocietyNew Zealand Speleological Society
New Zealand Speleological Society is a national organisation for recreational cavers in New Zealand.It was formed in 1949 and currently has 300 memebrs.-Mission:Their stated mission is:* To be the national speleological body* To conserve caves and karst...
(NZSS), a recreational caving organisation, promotes cave conservation by its members. The Department of Conservation (DoC) is responsible for caves on land under its administration and has developed a management policy for caves and karst
KARST
Kilometer-square Area Radio Synthesis Telescope is a Chinese telescope project to which FAST is a forerunner. KARST is a set of large spherical reflectors on karst landforms, which are bowlshaped limestone sinkholes named after the Kras region in Slovenia and Northern Italy. It will consist of...
. DoC publish a "Caving care code" which is in turn based in part on the caving ethics of NZSS.
United Kingdom
The British Cave Research AssociationBritish Cave Research Association
The British Cave Research Association is a speleological organisation in the United Kingdom. Its object is to promote the study of caves and associated phenomena, and it attains this by supporting cave & karst research, encouraging original exploration , collecting and publishing speleological...
administers the United Kingdom Cave Conservation Emergency Fund (UKCCEF), a charitable fund for protection of caves and cave features. The aims are:
- To assist in the publication of material intended to promote the conservation of caves and features therein or the conservation of a specific site or group of caves
- To assist with the physical protection of features within a specific cave or group of caves
- To assist in works designed to maintain access to a cave or part of a cave, but not solely to assist exploration
- To assist in the purchase of land or property where such acquisition is intended to ensure the protection of, or maintenance of access to, a cave or caves.
The National Caving Association has a Cave Conservation Code with the following recommendations:
- Cave with care and within your abilities
- Keep to marked routes and do not cross conservation tapes and barriers
- Protect cave wildlife and do not disturb bats
- Do not pollute the cave, leave nothing behind
- Archaeological and other remains should not be disturbed
- Do not interfere with scientific equipment
- Set a good example for others to follow
- Avoid touching or damaging formations
- Take nothing but photographs
- Comply with any access requirements
- Respect the rights and privacy of land owners
United States
The National Speleological SocietyNational Speleological Society
The National Speleological Society is an organization formed in 1941 to advance the exploration, conservation, study, and understanding of caves in the United States. Originally located in Washington D.C., its current offices are in Huntsville, Alabama...
believes:
- Caves have unique scientific, recreational, and scenic values
- These values are endangered by both carelessness and intentional vandalism
- These values, once gone, cannot be recovered
- The responsibility for protecting caves must be formed by those who study and enjoy them.
The Cave Research Foundation
Cave Research Foundation
The Cave Research Foundation is an American private, non-profit group dedicated to the exploration, research, and conservation of caves. The group arose in the early 1950s from the exploration efforts at Floyd Collins Crystal Cave, now within Mammoth Cave National Park...
(CRF) is an American private, non-profit group dedicated to the exploration, research, and conservation of caves.