|
Cave conservation is the protection and restoration of caves to prevent or minimise the effects of human activity on caves. A cave is a natural underground void large enough for a human to enter
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. A speleothem (from the Greek for "cave deposit" commonly known as a cave formation, is a secondary mineral deposit formed in a Cave. 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. Hydrology (from Greek Yδωρ hudōr, "water" and λόγος logos, "study" is the study of the movement distribution and quality of
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. Calcium carbide is a Chemical compound with the Chemical formula of Ca[[Carbide C2]] Using electric lamps avoide these problems.
Cave conservation by region
New Zealand
The New Zealand Speleological Society, a recreational caving organisation, promotes cave conservation by its members. New Zealand Speleological Society is a national organisation for recreational cavers in New Zealand. The Department of Conservation is responsible for caves on land under its administration and has developed a management policy for caves and karst. The Department of Conservation (In Māori, Te Papa Atawhai) commonly known by its acronym " DOC " is the state sector organisation Karst topography is a landscape shaped by the dissolution of a layer or layers of soluble Bedrock, usually Carbonate rock such as Limestone
United Kingdom
The British Cave Research Association administers the United Kingdom Cave Conservation Emergency Fund (UKCCEF), a charitable fund for protection of caves and cave features. The British Cave Research Association is a registered charity whose object is to promote the study of caves and associated phenomena 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. [1]
The National Caving Association has a Cave Conservation Code with the following recommendations:[2]
- 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 Society 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 National Speleological Society (NSS is an organization formed in 1941 to advance the exploration conservation study and understanding of Caves in the United States
The Cave Research Foundation (CRF) is an American private, non-profit group dedicated to the exploration, research, and conservation of caves. The Cave Research Foundation (CRF is an American private Non-profit group dedicated to the exploration research and conservation of Caves.
References
External links
- Australasian Cave and Karst Management Association Inc. (ACKMA)
- United Kingdom Cave Conservation Emergency Fund
- American Cave Conservation Association
- National Speleological Society - cave conservation page
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic