Sinkhole Flat, as the name suggests, is a region of relatively few features in southeastern New Mexico (Figure 1). There are a few arroyos and sinkholes. This study area is in the northern Chihuahuan Desert and plants are typical for this desert region which lies at about 1,000 meters elevation. The vegetation consists predominately of grasses, Opuntia, Yucca, Larrea, and Acacia. The caves at S...

The growth rate and composition of cave calcite deposits (speleothems) are often used as proxies for past environmental change. There is, however, the potential for bias in the speleothem record due to seasonal fluctuations in calcite growth and dripwater chemistry. It has been proposed that the growth rate of speleothem calcite in Texas caves varies seasonally in response to density-driven flu...

In a littoral cave system, abiotic environmental properties, such as the intensity and spectral distribution of light, often change going from the exterior to the interior part of the cave, filtering the light and thus creating a deep-sea irradiance setting for marine flora. In this mini-review, we suggest that the supralittoral zone in littoral caves might provide a sanctuary for mesophotic ca...

Few studies document plants in caves. Our field observations of a widespread and seemingly angiosperm-rich cave flora in SW China lead us to test the following hypotheses, 1) SW China caves contain a diverse vascular plant flora, 2) that this is a relic of a largely absent forest type lacking endemic species, and 3) that the light environment plants occupy in caves is not distinct from non-cave...

Caves pose significant challenges for mining projects, since they harbor many endemic and threatened species, and must therefore be protected. Recent discussions between academia, environmental protection agencies, and industry partners, have highlighted problems with the current Brazilian legislation for the protection of caves. While the licensing process is long, complex and cumbersome, the ...

At least potentially karstifiable rocks cover much of the surface of Egypt and northern Libya. Study of caves and other karstic features of this region has been hampered by lack of roads, rapid disintegration of the surface of friable, poorly consolidated limestone, wind-blown sand and other factors. Interbedding with marly aquicludes hampers speleogenesis locally. Calcareous and evaporite kars...

except in a few extremely arid regions. Figure 1 shows the variety of sources for the water responsible for the development of caves. Most of the caves are dissolved by the movement of groundwater in contemporary drainage basins. In coastal regions, the mixing of fresh groundwater with saltwater produces an aggressive solution that can dissolve out caves. Some caves (for example, the large cave...

Cave exploration is a popular activity in the United States that can be challenging, thrilling, and dangerous. In addition to common risks associated with caves on the mainland, caves in Hawai'i may be filled with tidal water, or contain large pools of water that are accessible only through underwater entrances. This paper will discuss common injuries in caves on the mainland United States, as ...

We report on the determination of the spore concentration and the species composition of the airborne fungi in selected caves of the Tatra Mountains, Poland. The following caves were surveyed: Mylna, Obłazkowa, Mroźna, Zimna and Naciekowa. The sampling was carried out in July 2015 and in January 2016. The aeromycological analyses were performed with the impact method, using the Air Ideal 3P app...

of the Dalmatian coast type, formed primarily from karst limestone, Eastern Adriatic coast shows great diversity of habitats. This diversity is also influenced by the position of the Adriatic Basin, stretching from northwest to southeast, climatic differences along its length, and the direction of sea currents. Habitats in the submerged karst characteristic for the Croatian side of the Adriatic...