URBANIZATION AND WATER QUALITY IN NORTHWEST ARKANSAS CAVES

The Ozark Cavefish, a threatened fish endemic to the Ozarks, is most populous in Cave Springs Cave and Logan Cave in Northwest Arkansas (NWA). These caves are home to other threatened and endangered cave species, including other aquatic species. As NWA has urbanized over the past two decades, the recharge areas of both caves, and in turn the water quality of both cave streams, have been impacted. The historical water quality record for both caves shows some of these impacts. However, these data come from numerous sources and have not been previously collated or comprehensively analyzed. This study approaches the issue of impacted water quality for these biologically significant caves through compiling historical data into a database for analysis and comparing those impacts with land use change in the recharge areas. The results of this research will lead to a better understanding of the relationship between urbanization and cave water quality and will contribute to the conservation of the Ozark Cavefish and other species of conservation concern.