CONTRASTING SPELEOLOGICAL AND GEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN TWO GEOLOGICALLY SIMILAR AREAS UNDER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ADMINISTRATION: THE GUADALUPE AND GLASS MOUNTAINS

The Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico and Texas are amongst the best studied small ranges in the world. They expose outcrops of middle and upper Permian rocks, which comprise the international type section for the Guadalupian stage of the Permian Period. Studies over the last century have resulted in important models of sedimentation and diagenesis, paleontology and reef growth. The mountains also contain world-class cave resources, almost all of which are administered by USNPS, USFS, BLM and state agencies. These caves have provided the basis for a large and growing body of research in mixing-zone diagenesis and speleogenesis, atmospheric convection and related speleogenesis, biologically influenced mineral precipitates (=biothems), microbiology and pharmacology. Stratigraphic and sedimentological observations in the caves provide insight into important regional problems not evident from surface exposures. In contrast, the Glass Mountains of West Texas expose strata of similar age and nature, but about which little is known. Here almost all the land is privately owned: access is difficult and unpredictable. Caves exist but are little studied. The principal difference is in the ownership and management of surface lands. Because caves in the Guadalupes are managed by several agencies, the results of different management plans may be compared, which has lead to the rapid evolution of management policy, while insuring continued resource protection and access for research and recreation.