CAVES, MORE THAN JUST A SPECIAL INTEREST

Management of caves has had little to no management from government agencies that are considered responsible for their preservation. One main problem is that caves are often thought of as a special interest area and other usages or science disciplines are not acknowledged. If other disciplines could show the opportunities that exist with caves in their field of study, there is the possibility that outside interest and funding could increase.

Caves provide many research and learning opportunities in other disciplines such as archaeology, hydrology, and biology. For example, in hydrology, caves provide access to ground water before and after terrestrial contamination. This allows for ground water analysis including chemical analysis and ground water re-charging which can produce prediction models of potential droughts and floods. Artifacts and bones, both human and animals, have been found in caves thus involving the disciplines of archaeology and paleontology. Caves provide a safe habitat for living biological specimens as well. These specimens provide great research opportunities for biologists to learn how species have adapted to living in a sunless environment. In order for these opportunities to survive for future generations, a management program needs to be put in place. This can be accomplished by implementing several policies.

1. A program to monitor the use of the cave and survey possible damage caused by anthropological or natural means

2. A rehabilitation plan to repair damage to both biological and non-biological (i.e. ground water) habitats found within the cave

3. Identification of potential research opportunities available in other disciplines, i.e. ground water analysis, archaeological and biological studies

4. Creation of procedures to identify the risk level to the cave based on the findings and usage of the cave

5. Establish a rapport with local cave experts and/or local grottos

Implications that will have to be dealt with include but are not limited to:

1. Funding for experienced personnel to assess and monitor caves accurately

2. Enforcement of the policies

3. Consequences if policies are broken or ignored