Annual Conservation Issue Celebrating the International Year of Caves and Karst - National Speleological Society
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Annual Conservation Issue
Celebrating the International Year
of
Caves and Karst
Welcome to the International Year of Caves and Karst!
A Guide to Planning Virtual Events
USA
Feb-May, 2021—NSS Virtual Cave Rescue Dr. George Veni,
Series. Second and Fourth Wednesdays of the International Union of Speleology President
month through the end of May, 2021. 8-10 pm
(Eastern) on the NSS Zoom channel. Topics
include patient perspectives, rescue pre-planning the world’s activities closed because of
and operations, patient management, hazardous
atmospheres, rescuer care, and more. To register COVID-19.
for these talks, go to: tinyurl.com/4jzmz7et Below, find new directions on how you
June 28-July 2, 2021—NSS Convention in and your clubs can create virtual IYCK events
Weed, California. http://nss2021.caves.org/ and conduct other valuable activities safely
August 6-8, 2021—Come to the 68th Annual during the pandemic. If you have your health,
Indiana Cave Capers 2021 Edition! This year
we are back at Crawford County 4H Fairgrounds a computer or phone, and some free time,
near Morengo, Indiana, home of the 2007 NSS you can make important contributions to
National Convention. This will be another great the advancement of speleology while staying
Capers hosted by the Central Indiana Grotto
featuring access to some of the most rare and safe at home.
beautiful caves in Indiana. Enjoy camping, live For the first time in history, the global Visit the IYCK Website. The website
music, banquet, speaker, prizes and more! speleological community is united in 2021 has a lot of general information about caves
Watch for pre-registration discounts and more in one grand project, the International Year and karst. Share it with people so they can
info coming soon. For more information, go to
www.cigcaves.com. of Caves and Karst (IYCK). The main goal learn more. Go to the Download page for
August 13 - 15, 2021—Karst-O-Rama, at Great of the IYCK is to teach the world about the the logo, leaflet, posters, and other materials
Saltpetre Cave Preserve, Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. many benefits of caves and karst. As I write to help you. You do not need special permis-
We’re bringing Karst-O-Rama back! Great cave these words, the International Union of sion. The information is free and open to
trips and camping, vendors, and a live band with
a costume party pair well with our sauna, hot Speleology (UIS) and its 55 member coun- everyone. Also, remember to share the UIS
tub, creek splashing, and, of course, feeding tries are joined by over 150 international Facebook page.
your thirst at the Guano Grill for three days of and national organizations as partners, and Understand the IYCK goals. The
downright speleo-fun! This year’s theme has yet
to be decided. KOR is hosted by the Greater
more organizations have told me they are purpose of the IYCK is teach the world about
Cincinnati Grotto with pre-registration discounts planning to join. Several of these partners caves and karst. Think about the best ways to
and info available soon! For more information, are not cave organizations, which is a success reach people who need to know what spele-
see our website at: karstorama.com/. in itself. Their alliance with the UIS proves ologists understand. If you organize meetings
November 1-5, 2021—2021 National Cave that the IYCK is seen as broadly important,
and Karst Management Symposium (NCKMS
for cave explorers and scientists, that is good,
2021) will be held in San Marcos, TX, part of and not limited to speleologists. but it is important that they include the public
the beautiful Texas Hill Country. Featuring Dale The greatest alliance came in too, or at least some influential people who
Pate, NPS National Cave and Karst Program September, when the UIS was invited by need to learn about caves and karst. I’ll give
Coordinator from 2007 to 2017 and Cave
Specialist for Carlsbad Caverns National Park the United Nations Educational, Scientific, some examples below but remember to stay
from 1991 to 2002, to speak at the banquet! and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to focused on the public.
Learn about “Endangered Species, Endangered hold the Opening Ceremony of the IYCK at “International” does not always
Caves, Endangered Aquifers.” Field trips to local
caves and special access to local show caves!
UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. Speleology mean “big.” Some people think that
Glass-bottom boat tour of local spring! T-shirt! has never had such a high international stage because this is the International Year, they
Online pre-registration is open. Reserve your to reach large numbers of influential national need to plan big and complicated activities.
hotel room for reduced rates in an arranged ambassadors and their governments and If you can do that, excellent! But many
block of rooms at two hotels. More details at
symposium2021.nckms.org show them how very important caves and times, several small activities can be better at
karst are to their countries. reaching the public than one big event. The
INTERNATIONAL Yet despite this success in partners, we UIS has said from the start that you should
July 23-29, 2021—18th International Congress are challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. “do what you can.” No activity is too small!
of Speleology, (Lyon, France), http://uis2021. Soon after we received the UNESCO invi- Use virtual tools. There are now many
speleos.fr/ tation, Paris was declared a COVID “red ways to connect with people. Use teleconfer-
zone”; thus, the Opening Ceremony was ence tools like Zoom to give lectures about
Send items for the calendar to davebunnell@ held virtually on 26 January 2021. Watch caves and karst. Do you know teachers?
comcast.net at least 4 weeks before desired month of
publication (e.g., by April 1 for the May issue).
the IYCK Website (www.uis-speleo.org) and Offer free lectures for their students about
UIS Facebook page (https://www.facebook. caves. You can do the same for meetings of
com/uisspeleo) for announcements about all non-speleological organizations. You can
IYCK events. The UIS is now working with also record your voice in PowerPoint as you
UNESCO to schedule an IYCK celebration give your lecture, then load it on YouTube
Announcements.................................. 36 sometime later in 2021 as allowed by the or social media for download. Go out into
President’s Message........................... 37 virus. the karst with your camera or camera phone
Underground Update........................... 38 Over the past few months, I have and record a field trip that you can share.
Classified Ads...................................... 39 received many messages from people who For a small amount of time and effort, you
want to organize activities of the IYCK, but can reach hundreds or thousands of people
Front cover: don’t know how because of the pandemic. this way over the year.
“The Reindeer” by Florian Bachmann, One year ago, the UIS published a Planning
from the 2020 NSS Photo Salon Guide to help our members and partners
develop IYCK events. Two months later, concluded on page 39
2 NSS News, April 2021
POSTMASTERS OR MEMBERS:
Send address changes to the National Speleological
Society Office, contact information below.
NSS News April 2021
National Speleological Society Office
6001 Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, AL 35810 Volume 79 Number 4
Tel: (256) 852-1300
Annual Conservation Issue—Editor, Val Hildreth Werker
e-mail: nss@caves.org; Web site: http://caves.org/
Please contact the office for address changes or back issues.
NSS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Dare Mighty Things—Steward and Sustain..............................................4
President Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim C. Werker
Geary Schindel
Bexar Grotto International Year of Caves and Karst: Many Partners, Many Events.......4
San Antonio, TX
president@caves.org
George Veni
(210).326.1576 cell
Meet Our 2021 USA Cave Animal of the Year............................................5
Operations VP Administrative VP Matthew L. Niemiller and Gretchen M. Baker
Maureen Handler Adam Weaver.
Sewanee Mountain Grotto
Sewanee, TN
Paha Sapa Grotto
Rapid City, SD
San Antonio Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research........................6
(423) 605-5569 (605) 545-5550 Andrew Gluesenkamp and Danté Fenolio
ovp@caves.org avp@caves.org
Driftless Area Karst Conservation Task Force............................................9
Executive VP Secretary/Treasurer Dawn Ryan
Scott Engel Kristine Ebrey
Smoky Mountain Grotto Sewanee Mountain Grotto Puliamo il Buio 2020 – Let’s Clean Up the Dark in
Knoxville, TN
Pertosa-Auletta Caves.............................................................................10
South Pittsburg, TN
(225) 281-3914 (423)-991-3034
evp@caves.org s-t@caves.org Rosangela Addesso, Simona Cafaro, Ferdinando Didonna,
NSS NEWS EDITOR Francesco Maurano
Dave Bunnell, Ph.D.
Box 879 Minimum-Impact Caving Guidelines......................................................13
Angels Camp, CA 95222 Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim C. Werker
nssnews@caves.org
Please include “NSS News” in your subject line when e-mailing
Updated Cave Protection Laws on NSS Webpages..................................14
material to help me sort it from the spam. Thanks! Thomas M. Lera
Questions about submitting features and photos? Please see the style
and submission guidelines:on the NSS web site: NSS Cave Vandalism Deterrence Commission.........................................14
https://caves.org/pub/nssnews/style.shtml
Sarah Richards
ADVERTISING
Complete advertising information, including rate cards, mechanical Shocking Sale of “Calming” Calcite Speleothems...................................15
specs and deadlines is available online at Carlos Artiquez
https://caves.org/pub/nssnews/ads.shtml
New advertisers should contact Matt Bowers, NSS Director of
Business Development at 209-529-9000 or matt.bowers@caves.org.
Central Oregon Caves Graffiti Project: 2021 Update...............................16
Payments for ads should be sent to the NSS office. New Neil Marchington
advertisers are expected to pay for ads prior to publication.
30 Years of Saving Caves........................................................................17
DEPARTMENT EDITORS Amber Lehmann
ASSISTANT COPY EDITOR NEWSLETTER REVIEW
Gary Gibula Ian Reuter Paleoclimatology Sampling in a California Cave....................................19
garygibula@aol.com 5560 Sierra Court Greg Roemer-Baer
Rapid City, SD 57702
CONSERVATION ianreuter@aol.com Responsible Speleothem Sampling........................................................21
Jim & Val Hildreth-Werker
CAVE CHRONICLES Sarah Truebe, PhD
PO Box 207
Hillsboro, NM 88042-0207
(575) 895-5050
Philip Rykwalder
philip@cavenow.com
Surface Vegetation Needs Conservation, Too: A Case Study of Roots in
werks@cunacueva.com Lava Caves, El Malpais NM, New Mexico................................................22
SPELEAN SPOTLIGHT Kathleen Lavoie, Jessica Snider, Diana Northup
Gary Gibula
garygibula@aol.com Cave Preservation Network Spotlight: Bluff Dwellers Cave, Missouri.....24
Nicole Ridlen
Deadline: Ads, articles, and announcements should be sent to the
editor by the 1st of the month, 1 month before the month of issue (e.g.,
Reflections of a Conservationist .............................................................26
material for the March issue needs to be in by Feb. 1). Ethan Oleson
The NSS News (ISSN 0027-7010) is published monthly with
the Members Manual and American Caving Accidents published as What It Means to Be a Member of a High School Cave
additional issues by the National Speleological Society, Inc, 6001
Pulaski Pike NW, Huntsville, AL 35810. Periodicals Postage Paid at
Conservation Club...................................................................................28
Huntsville, Al and additional mailing offices. Tel: (256)852-1300, e-mail: Scout Jessop
nss@caves.org, web: http://caves.org/
Regular membership with electronic copy of NSS News in the Cave Restoration and Formation Repair Projects in Lechuguilla,
NSS is $40 per year. Members may elect to receive paper copy
of NSS NEWS for $10 per year. Please visit members.caves.org
Cottonwood, and Fort Stanton Caves......................................................29
for descriptions of other membership categories. Non member Mike Mansur
Subscriptions to the NSS News are $36 per year. Individual copies
are $3.00 each or 5 or more copies for $1.00 each. Contact the Fort Stanton Cave Formation Repair and Restoration Project: The Tools
Huntsville office for membership applications, subscriptions, orders,
or for replacement of issues missing or damaged in the mail. Moving?
and Techniques We Used........................................................................32
Address changes can be made from your profile in the Account + Mike Mansur
Settings tab- Profile tab, for assistance call the office.
Copyright ©2021 by the National Speleological Society
Grand Caverns Spring Restoration Volunteer Value................................34
Meredith Hall Weberg
The Learning Must Go On! Conservation Education during COVID.........35
Dave and Tracy Jackson
NSS News, April 2021 3
Dare Mighty Things—Steward and Sustain
Val Hildreth-Werker and Jim C. Werker, NSS Conservation Joint Chiefs
We dedicate this 2021 NSSNews tolls of COVID and the puzzling aftermath to harbor a daunting array of indicator
Conservation Issue to the honor and syndromes and other pathogenesis will never values. Newly discovered spelean assets
memory of those affected by the heart- truly return us to a pre-pandemic world. are explained in an ever-increasing volume
breaking consequences of the COVID Working together to seize and surmount the of academic information. Caves hold data
pandemic. May we continue to “dare challenges ahead, cavers continue to dare on past and present climates, extremophile
mighty things” as we honor our caving mighty things and find new ways to protect and indicator species, vital karst ground-
family and celebrate the International Year and sustain our underEarth. water quality, historic and prehistoric
of Caves and Karst 2021. This is the year to reach out and cele- cultural remains. The fabric and fragments
Theodore Roosevelt’s words, from his brate caves! Help engage the world in cave of natural history await discovery, cradled
famous1899 speech in Chicago, still ring awareness throughout this International Year within spelean spaces.
true for 2021: of Caves and Karst 2021. Accomplishments Cave exploration, survey, inventory,
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, through speleological exploration are and cartography open portals to valuable
to win glorious triumphs, even though progressing side-by-side with space explo- scientific stories of natural and cultural
checkered by failure, than to take rank ration. We explore the mighty frontiers of processes. Surprisingly robust over eons,
with those poor spirits who neither enjoy inner Earth as humankind spans the mighty yet delicately balanced on micro-ecological
much nor suffer much, because they live reach to other planets. We celebrate both as scales, caves are birthed by the natural
in the gray twilight that knows not victory NASA’s Perseverance rover safely begins a interdigitating processes of rock, water,
nor defeat.” new era at Mars’ Jezero Crater to seek signs and microbial life. Earth’s cave passages,
From March 2020, ‘round the of ancient life, collect and cache samples of features, and contents provide planetary
seasons ’til now, was a year like no other rock and regolith (broken rock and soil) for models for identifying and perpetuating
in our living memory. Through the chaotic possible return to Earth, and demonstrate sustainable practices. We encourage all
panoply of societal challenges thrust new exploration technologies as we strive to stay up-to-date and employ mini-
forward by pathogens and pandemic, toward a future of more sustainable options. mum-impact caving protocols—all caves,
several things are clear. Beyond balancing Caving encompasses conservation whether on Earth or beyond, deserve our
every decision against the threats of getting and sustainability. Spelean systems archive careful, informed respect and stewardship.
sick or infecting others, even when we are keys to sustaining life on Earth and clues to Know how to behave in a cave—see page
again freely traveling, caving, and going potential life on other planets. They are the 13, this issue. See https://caves.org/
to speleo-gatherings, the lingering social sacred voids of Earth, appointed by nature conservation/cavingcode.shtml
and protection for caves and karst. It is simple New UIS Bulletin: Special
to join. Just send your logo and website International Year of Cave and
address to the address on the Partners page Karst Issue
of the IYCK Website www.iyck2021.org You are welcome to visit the UIS
and then send your event announcements Website www.uis-speleo.org and download
The International Year of Caves as shown on the Events page. No event is Volume 62-2 of the UIS Bulletin. Available
and Karst: Many Partners, Many too small. It is all important. to all! http://uis-speleo.org/wp-content/
Events When each event is completed, please uploads/2021/02/uisb622.pdf
The International Year of Caves and send a short report to the Event Results page Nivaldo COLZATO (Brazil),
Karst (IYCK) is designed to teach people on the website http://iyck2021.org/index. Adjunct Secretary / UIS Bulletin Editor
around the world about caves and karst. It php/event-results/. This page provides links UIS-Union Internationale de Spéléologie
is an event organized by the International to video lectures, news reports, and other
Union of Speleology (UIS), but the UIS can’t information on the results of all IYCK events.
reach the world alone, which is why we’re At the end of the IYCK, all the results will
excited to have more than 150 national US Cave Laws Updated on NSS
be compiled into one document that anyone Website!
and international organizations partnering can use to demonstrate the global interest,
with us. Excellent, useful reference tools!
value, and support for caves and karst, which Check out revised reference materials and
A growing number of events are sched- we believe will help us all find more support
uled for the International Year of Caves and pdfs of US Cave Laws at https://caves.
and funding for exploration, research, and org/conservation/laws.shtml.
Karst. Find the full list at http://iyck2021. protection. (See more detailed info starting
org/index.php/events/. Some are sched- Thanks to Tom Lera’s perseverance,
on inside front cover of this issue). all federal cave protection acts, state cave
uled throughout the year. If you missed Join us! http://iyck2021.org/. And visit
our IYCK Opening Ceremonies, already and archaeology protection statutes,
the UIS Facebook page https://www.face- and Puerto Rico cave and archaeology
viewed by over 6,500 people, watch them book.com/uisspeleo, UIS Twitter account
at https://www.youtube.com/channel/ protection statutes are accessible and
https://twitter.com/uisspeleo, and/or the up-to-date via the NSS Conservation
UCzSiErLj5x6viNbvAdehDvA. UIS Instagram page https://www.instagram.
The most important thing is that more Web Pages. The extensive 2020 research
com/uisspeleo/. and formatting efforts are recognized
partners are joining us and posting events George Veni
daily, and we ask you to be one of them. with an NSS Certificate of Appreciation
President, International Union of to long-time NSS Conservation Team
This is a unique chance to be part of a team Speleology and
making a global impact to improve knowl- contributor, Thomas Lera. (See Updated
Executive Director, National Cave and Cave Protection Laws in this issue).
edge, and from there, appreciation, funding, Karst Research Institute
4 NSS News, April 2021
Meet Our 2021 USA Cave Animal of the Year
Matthew L. Niemiller and Gretchen M. Baker; photos by Matthew
In 2021, the USA Cave Animal of the Are all Beetles Found in Caves
Year program enters its second year. The Considered Troglobitic?
program brings attention to the amazing With more than 400,000 described
animals that live underground. Cave animals species, it is not surprising that many species
call caves their homes. As cavers, we are the of beetles can be found in caves. Some
visitors to these homes, and it’s good to get species accidentally wander or get washed
to know our hosts a little better. into cave systems from the surface. Others
What is the focus for 2021? The USA are common in caves but also are common
Cave Animal of the Year is the cave ground on the forest floor or in other surface habi-
beetle, specifically cave beetles in the tats. Some species are guanophiles that feed Pseudanophthalmus alabamae from DeKalb
genus Pseudanophthalmus. They are found on the guano of bats, raccoons, and other County, Alabama
throughout much of the Appalachians and mammals. However, the truly troglobitic
Interior Low Plateau karst regions of the species, such as Pseudanophthalmus cave tails, millipedes, and other arthropods, as
eastern United States. beetles, are adapted for a life in complete well as small annelid worms that live in the
Cave ground beetles are small beetles darkness and are found almost entirely in silt and mud along the banks of cave streams.
in the family Carabidae. Many beetles live subterranean habitats. Cave ground beetles also have been observed
and can be found in caves. However, cave scavenging on the carcass of a dead crayfish.
ground beetles are troglobitic, which means Where Can I Find Them?
that they are specialized for living in subter- Cave ground beetles are known from Protecting Cave Ground Beetles
ranean habitats, including caves. caves and other subterranean habitats Because many cave ground beetle
Pseudanophthalmus is the most diverse throughout the Appalachians and Interior species have exceptionally small ranges (for
group of cave beetles in the United States Low Plateau karst regions but are also known example, single-site endemics) they are at an
with over 140 described species and at least from the Edwards Plateau and Balcones increased risk of extinction. Like other small
80 species new to science that are awaiting Escarpment, Ozark Highlands, California, invertebrates that occur in caves, they are
taxonomic description. and the Hawaiian Islands. vulnerable to any threats that result in the
Pseudanophthlamus cave beetles are degradation or loss of critical habitat, such
Getting to Know Cave Ground known from cave systems in 10 states. as pollution, mining, and flooding of caves
Beetles Although cave ground beetles are known associated with impoundments.
Cave ground beetles are a diverse group from karst regions throughout the country,
of generally small (3–7.5 mm) beetles that most species have very small ranges and Cave Animals Of The Year From
are commonly encountered by cavers. These are known from just a few cave systems, Other Countries
unique beetles lack eyes and flight wings including several that have been documented Countries that celebrate Cave Animal
and are depigmented (generally amber in from just a single cave (single-site endemics). of the Year agreed to feature cave beetles
color). They generally have long, slender However, it is not uncommon to find more to celebrate the International Year of Cave
bodies and elongate legs and antennae. than one species in a cave system in parts and Karst 2021. If you’d like to learn about
Most species have converged on a similar of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, some additional cave beetles, you can find
set of morphological adaptations for living and Virginia. links on our website for Germany (Cave Rove
in the darkness of caves and are exceedingly Cave ground beetles are most often Beetle), Italy (Stammer’s italodytes), Australia
difficult to identify to species based on their encountered as they move along riparian (cave beetles in general), Switzerland (cave
external appearance. Cave ground beetles zones along cave streams or in other areas beetle), Austria (Arctaphaenops angulipen-
are one of the top predators in terrestrial where organic material and their prey have nis), and Greece.
cave ecosystems. concentrated. They can be found actively
searching for prey on silt and mud banks How You Can Participate
Darlingtonea kentuckensis from Fletcher as well as underneath and within boul- We need your help spreading the word
Spring Cave, Rockcastle County, KY
der and cobble along cave about Cave Animal of the Year. First, visit the
streams. Cave ground beetles website: https://caves.org/conservation/
have even been observed caveanimaloftheyear where you’ll find even
on the ceilings of passages more information about caves as animal
with active streams. Cave habitats, cave beetles, and last year’s Cave
ground beetles are small and Animal of the Year, pseudoscorpions. Please
can be difficult to find to the share the website address with friends and
untrained eye. on your Grotto social media. If you’re lucky
enough to find a cave beetle while caving,
What Do Cave Ground help others see it and learn about these cave
Beetles Eat? species. We invite you to make a photo of
All cave ground beetles, it and post it on the USA Cave Animal of
like most other carabid the Year Facebook page. Have another
beetles, are predatory. They great year of learning about and helping to
likely feed on the eggs of conserve habitat for the fascinating animals
other insects as well as spring- that make caves their homes!
NSS News, April 2021 5
San Antonio Zoo’s Center for Conservation and Research
Andrew Gluesenkamp and Danté Fenolio; photos by Danté Fenolio
San Antonio Zoo, 3908 N St. Mary’s Street, San Antonio, Texas 78212
andy.gluesenkamp@sazoo.org
Overview systematics, development and morphology, Texas Tetra Project
San Antonio Zoo’s Center for and conservation management. Research Project Partner: University of
Conservation and Research (SAZ CCR) and management projects cover a diversity Minnesota
was established to further the San Antonio of organisms including fish, amphibians, The Mexican tetra (Astyanax mexica-
Zoological Society’s mission to secure a place reptiles, crustaceans, and bats, as well as nus) is native to the Rio Grande and Nueces
for wildlife by actively engaging in boots-on- imperiled ecosystems including the Amazon River drainages in South Texas. This species
the-ground research. This is accomplished by rainforest, the deep ocean, caves, and karst. is widespread in spring fed rivers and streams
providing guidance on conservation issues A team of four staff (a conservation manager in central Texas, likely as the result of “bait
to policy makers; information dissemina- and three conservation technicians) are bucket” introductions beginning in the middle
tion in the form of peer-reviewed papers, responsible for day-to-day operations, animal of the last century. Although Texas popula-
books, technical reports, public outreach, care, and laboratory management, in addi- tions are derived from surface stock, this
education, and popular media; as well as tion to assisting with project design, data species occurs in several cave and spring
providing research opportunities, training, collection, field work, and outreach efforts. systems. The Texas Tetra Project seeks
and guidance for both students and accom- Importantly, conservation staff develop to explore the evolutionary history of this
plished researchers. species-specific care and husbandry proto- species in Texas. Ongoing efforts include
Research and conservation projects cols for rare and endangered organisms. documentation of subterranean popula-
span three continents and include field and Most of these are obscure subterranean tions and comparison of gene expression,
laboratory studies; captive breeding and species for which there are no established morphology, physiology, and behavior
husbandry of rare or imperiled species; husbandry or captive reproduction protocols. among cave and surface populations.
collaboration with academic researchers,
members of the private sector, local, state, Selected Programs and Projects Cooperative study and conserva-
tribal governments, and federal agencies. tion of groundwater species in
Our work is funded primarily by research Subterranean bioinventory work in Texas
grants, contracts, and private donations. We China – Chinese Cavefish Working Project Partners: University of Texas at
are fortunate to have recently received NSS Group Arlington, University of Texas at Austin,
sponsorship of our efforts. In celebration of Project Partners: Chinese Academy Texas State University at San Marcos, the
the International Year of Caves and Karst of Sciences, University of Alabama University of Texas Rio Grande Valley,
http://iyck2021.org, the NSS has pledged - Huntsville, New Jersey Institute of United States Fish and Wildlife Service
to cover the cost of feeding our laboratory Technology, and Louisiana State University The San Antonio Zoo Center for
populations of cave organisms for one year. The goals of this effort are to survey Conservation and Research is developing
We are immensely grateful for this thoughtful historic and new localities, for mulate husbandry guidelines and reproduction proto-
and generous gesture and we look forward conservation strategies, and clarify the cols for rare endangered species that inhabit
to thanking y’all in person at the National systematics and taxonomy of critically endan- the Edwards Aquifer. Labs have been built
Cave and Karst Symposium, to be held in gered Chinese cavefish and cave species from repurposed shipping containers on zoo
San Marcus,Texas on November 1-5, 2021 new to science. One reason for the decline grounds. These are used to keep and breed
https://symposium2021.nckms.org. of Chinese cave fauna is overuse and abuse federally listed species including the Texas
The knowledge, experience, and dedica- of aquifers throughout southern China, a blind salamander (Eurycea rathbuni), Salado
tion of SAZ CCR staff are core to achieving problem we can relate to in San Antonio. salamander (E. chisholmensis), groundwa-
our mission. Senior staff (Danté Fenolio, VP This project has resulted in the discovery of ter amphipods, and spring-inhabiting riffle
and Andy Gluesenkamp, Director) both have several species new to science, and several beetles. These organisms live nowhere else
extensive experience in ecology and evolu- peer-reviewed papers have been published on earth and, in addition to threats to their
tionary biology, taxonomy and phylogenetic or are pending. habitat in the form or reductions in the qual-
Sinocyclocheilus furcodorsalis,
Guangxi, China
Right: Triplophysa huanjiangensis, Guangxi Huanjiang, China
6 NSS News, April 2021
Adult Grotto Salamander Georgia Blind Salamander
(Eurycea spelaea) (Eurycea wallacei)
ity and quantity of groundwater, they suffer tory population of this species and efforts they are critically necessary. The quality of
from a syndrome known as “out-of-sight, are underway to establish husbandry and the groundwater where these species exist
out-of-mind.” In addition to our work with breeding protocols. Surveys for suitable is declining and wildlife authorities anticipate
laboratory populations and field studies, habitat are underway at Amistad National the decline of the salamander owing to
we are working with researchers from UT Recreation Area and at sites along the anthropogenic influences. Our program was
Austin on eDNA surveys for rare and listed Devil’s River. Fieldwork in Mexico includes the first to breed both species in captivity.
groundwater species. We are also collaborat- revisiting known sites and documenting new The husbandry and breeding protocols have
ing with researchers from UT Arlington on a sites via cave and spring surveys as well as been published for the crayfish and are in
genetic study of the Texas blind salamander eDNA sampling. We are also collaborating preparation for the salamander.
(E. rathbuni) and recently received funding to on efforts to document the distribution and
pursue rediscovery of the rarest salamander collect additional material of the toothless Development of husbandry and
in the world, the Blanco blind salamander blindcat (Trogloglanis pattersoni) and the captive reproduction protocols for
(E. robusta). Finally, we are collaborating on widemouth blindcat (Satan eurystomus) the Ozark Cavefish
descriptions of two new species of salaman- from the Edwards Aquifer in and around Project Partners: University of Alabama
ders from the Edwards Aquifer. San Antonio using drift nets, bottle traps, - Huntsville, United States Fish and
and eDNA metabarcoding. Wildlife Service, The Nature Conservancy
Mexican Blindcat Project – Blindcat This effort involved developing a
Working Group Development of husbandry and research colony of the Ozark Cavefish
Project Partners: National Park Service, captive reproduction protocols for (Troglichthys rosae) at SAZ CCR. The effort
University of Texas at Austin Biodiversity Floridan Aquifer species started with the incidental take of several
Collections, Zara Environmental LLC. Project Partners: University of individual fishes by way of road work in
The Mexican blindcat (Prietella phre- Alabama - Huntsville, Florida Fish and Arkansas and quickly turned into this partner-
atophila) is a rare subterranean catfish Wildlife Conservation Commission, ing program with TNC and USFWS. Goals
known from twelve sites in Coahuila, Mexico. Georgia Department of Natural Resources of this project include development of captive
Our team recently documented two popula- This effort involved developing husbandry and breeding protocols for this
tions in Val Verde County, Texas, marking a research colony of the Georgia Blind federally listed species. The long-term quality
the first US occurrences of this species. This Salamander (Eurycea wallacei) and the of the groundwater where this species exists
project seeks to determine the distribution, Dougherty Plain Cave Crayfish (Cambarus is in question. Our program was the first to
ecology, and conservation status of this cryptodytes) at SAZ CCR. Goals of this work with this species in captivity. Husbandry
species by conducting fieldwork in the US project include development of captive protocols are being developed now.
and Mexico. We maintain the only labora- husbandry and breeding protocols before
Female Cambarus cryptodytes in berry,
the Dougherty Plain Cave Crayfish
Mexican Blindcats,
Prietella phreatophila
NSS News, April 2021 7
Ozark cavefish, Troglichthys
rosae juvenile
Caecidotea macropopoda, an
Cave bioinventory work and isopod from an Oklahoma cave
monitoring of imperiled ground-
water species in the Ozarks and
Appalachians
Pr oje c t P a r tn e r s : U n i v e r s i t y o f
Alabama - Huntsville, United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, Nature Conservancy,
Roger’s State University, New Jersey
Institute of Technology, Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation,
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,
Missouri Department of Conservation,
Georgia Department of Natural Resources,
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency,
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources
This 20-year-old project seeks to
confirm historic localities, formulate conser-
vation strategies, and clarify systematics of
critically endangered species and species
new to science. We survey known as well
as unsurveyed cave systems and conduct
bioinventories on behalf of state and federal
wildlife agencies. This project also performs
annual surveys of several federally endan-
gered cave species.
Population ecology of the grotto
salamander
Pr oje c t P a r tn e r s : U n i v e r s i t y o f
Alabama - Huntsville, United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, New Jersey Institute
of Technology, Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation, The Nature
Conservancy
SAZ CCR is conducting long-term
population ecology studies of the grotto sala-
mander (Eurycea spelaea) in the Ozarks of
Oklahoma. In the past, we have marked indi-
viduals with acrylic elastomer and conducted
stable isotope analysis to decipher the food
webs in the cave streams where larval
salamanders live. Populations are being
monitored for change in abundance relative
to the decrease in bat numbers because of
infection with White Nose Syndrome. The
species is listed as a species of concern in
all states where it occurs. The project was
initiated in 2001.
8 NSS News, April 2021
Celebrating the International Year of Caves and Karst:
Driftless Area Karst Conservation Task Force
Dawn Ryan,* DARK CTF Coordinator
The Driftless Area is one of the most
interesting geologic regions in the Midwest
and covers nearly 10,000 square miles
in parts of Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, and
Wisconsin. This karst terrain includes deep
river valleys such as the Mississippi, sink-
holes, caves and limestone bluffs providing
scenic and recreational opportunities. It is
also an important agricultural area where
land use on karst can create a whole gamut of
water quality problems. With this understand-
ing and looking toward the International Year
of Caves and Karst, we created the Driftless
Area Karst (DARK) Conservation Task Force.
We borrowed the concept from the
Virginia Cave and Karst Trail (https://
www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/
vacavetrail), a feature that we visited
during the 2019 National Cave and Karst
Management Symposium in Virginia. The
“trail” is promoted as a public outreach tool
to educate the public on caves and karst
features, with stops along the driving route
at fee-based show caves, scenic views, and
Turquoise Lake in Mystery Cave. Photo courtesy MNDR
self-guided hikes.
Representatives from the four states Conservation (DARK) partnerships with the sibility, free or fee based, dog friendly, and
decided on approximately 10 existing karst National Speleological Society, National maps and photos of each site.
resources for each state, designating sites of Park Service, Northeast Iowa Resource The University of Minnesota is provid-
public interest that could include show caves, Conservation & Development (RC&D), ing free use of their Flyover Country App
hikes to sinkholes, springs, overlooks, and League of Women Voters of Jo Daviess (https://flyovercountry.io/). The mobile app
museums that exemplify karst in their region. County, Illinois State Geological Survey, is designed for geoscience outreach and links
Criteria for the sites require that they are Meredith Hall Weberg from the Virginia users with interesting landscape features. The
open to the public, provide safe parking, Cave and Karst Trail, several state organiza- user chooses which DARK Discovery Area
and have a relationship to the Driftless Area tions, and citizen scientists from Minnesota, to visit and downloads information from the
karst. Grouped into “Discovery Areas” based Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. website about the discovery feature along
on geographic location, these karst areas are This is truly a collaborative project with with GPS directions to their phone, and the
featured on the DARK website and Flyover several organizations providing support and App works even if there is no cell service.
Country App. resources integral to the effort. An example of a discovery area includes a
The NSS is providing webhosting for the self-guided hike to Big Spring in Forestville/
Collaborators and DARK DARK Conservation Task Force. DARK’s Mystery Cave State Park, a tour of Mystery
Partnerships website address is: driftless.caves.org. Cave, and a self-guided hike to Cherry Grove
With help from our colleagues, The NPS Rivers, Trails, & Conservation Blind Valley Scientific and Natural Area,
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Assistance Program is providing an intern which is the origin of the water flowing from
hydrologist Jeff Green and Whitewater to develop the interactive website that will Big Spring in Forestville.
State Park Interpreter, Sara Holger, we provide site interpretation and information
were are able to create Driftless Area Karst such as, ease and time needed to visit, acces- Driftless Area Karst Discovery
Routes 2021 and Beyond
Big Spring in The Website and App are scheduled
Forestville/Mystery to be active in March or April 2021. Once
Cave State Park. everything is activated, we plan to keep the
Photo courtesy
Website and App available even after the end
MNDR
of IYCK2021 (See http://iyck2021.org).
* About the author: Dawn Ryan is a Life Member
and Fellow of the National Speleological
Society (NSS#50407) and Fellow of the Cave
Research Foundation. Ryan manages Mystery
Cave in Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park,
Preston, Minnesota.
NSS News, April 2021 9
Puliamo il Buio 2020 – Let’s Clean Up the Dark in Pertosa-Auletta Caves
Rosangela Addesso, Simona Cafaro, Ferdinando Didonna, Francesco Maurano
The Pertosa-Auletta complex is a karst Background Grotte di Pertosa-Auletta extend for a
show cave system located near the villages Puliamo il Buio— Let’s Clean Up the total length of 3000 meters and are divided
of Pertosa and Auletta, in the province of Dark, organized by the Italian Speleological into three main branches (Fig. 2). The middle
Salerno, Campania, Italy. This important Society every year since 2005, is an initiative and southern branches are decorated with
karst site in southern Italy is protected within dedicated to the cleaning of underground abundant speleothems and respectively show
a national park, Parco Nazionale del Cilento, environments throughout Italy. We provide both paleo (fossil) and active (spring) sites. In
Vallo di Diano e Alburni. Pertosa-Auletta is documentation as evidence of the offenses, the middle branch there is a short path open
included in the European Geoparks Network assess the danger and degree of damage, to the public.
for its important geological and cultural heri- propose possible remedies to the public Our cleaning activities took place in the
tage. In 1998, the park and several ancient and local administrations, and coordinate tourist branch, represented on the plan map
Greek towns became a UNESCO World the cave clean up events. Clean up the Dark from point 1 to 5 (Fig. 2). About 800 meters
Heritage Site. follows the footsteps of international “Clean long, this section is characterized by a succes-
Although the cave receives routine main- up the World” events, which are coordinated sion of large rooms adorned with imposing
tenance, its management body, Fondazione in Italy by the Legambiente Associazione speleothems and morphologies that cover
MIdA (Musei Integrati dell’ Ambiente), (League for the Environment, a not-for-profit the ground almost completely.
dedicated a day to evaluate conservation environmental association).
concerns that had escaped attention during The Program
the usual cleaning activities in cave. The goal The Site The event was organized in five phases:
was to identify new strategies and actions Pertosa-Auletta is among the most 1. Present cave descriptions and guide-
to enhance sustainable management of the important karst springs in southern Italy. lines for cleaning activities in the show
show cave. Activities focused on mitigat- Aspects of scientific importance include the cave.
ing trash left along the cave pathways and karst phenomenon, hydrogeology, archeol- 2. Organize work groups and distribute
exploring methods to decrease future litter- ogy, and speleo-biology. Pertosa-Auletta also forms to complete during cleaning
ing in the cave. The over-arching objective constitutes a significant economic reality in activities (document typology, quantity,
of this ongoing project is to safeguard and the territory, being a tourist site since the and collecting area of objects).
conserve the cave ecosystem. middle of the last century. The main entrance 3. Conduct small group conversations
Thanks to the help of twenty-eight to the karst cavity, located in the left bank on Sustainable Development Goals in
speleologists (Fig. 1) from three different of the Tanagro River, opens at 263 meters Italian Speleology.
regions in the south of Italy (Campania, above mean sea level along the western slope 4. Perform cave cleaning activities in
Basilicata, and Puglia) and seven speleo- of the Alburni Mountains. work groups.
logical groups (Gruppo Speleo Alpinistico Thanks to the efforts of many spele- 5. Discuss data collections and final
Vallo di Diano, Gruppo Speleo Melandro, ologists engaged in various exploratory reports from each group.
Gruppo Speleologico Natura Esplora, campaigns, both the cave survey and the
Gruppo Speleo Archeologico Vespertilio, sur face topographical survey are well The Guidelines for Cleaning
Centro Altamurano Ricerche Speleologiche, defined. Initial exploration of the cavity and Activities in the Show Cave
Gruppo Speleologico Castel di Lepre, a first survey was carried out in 1924 by SME • Collect all solid and liquid waste
Gruppo Speleologico CAI Napoli), together (Società Meridionale di Elettricità) to enable dispersed in the cave environment,
with MIdA staff, we were able to identify, exploitation of water resources. In 1952, especially those of organic origin (for
document, and remove many objects left the IGM (Istituto Geografico Militare) did a example paper, cloth, etc.).
in the cave due to tourist activities. We precision survey of the entire cavity, with a • Separate waste, if possible.
accomplished meticulous trash retrieval first relief published by Lieutenant Dutto. • Remember to thoroughly look in the
and cleanup outside of trail boundaries and Various survey and exploration expeditions ravine and niches of the rock.
from the ravine where tourists pitched their conducted by the GS-CAI Napoli (Gruppo • Always move with caution. Avoid
unwanted items. Speleo Club Alpino Italiano Napoli) acquired damaging speleothems and surfaces.
more details over time. • Always operate with safety first in
mind.
• Use clean gloves and clothing.
• Catalog, photograph, and define quan-
tities of all the found objects.
• Communicate with the managers
and suggest solutions to minimize the
phenomenon of the abandonment of
materials (tourist trash) in the cave.
• Before the in-cave activity, reread
the “Protocol for Minimum-Impact
Speleology” by Val-Hildreth Werker
and Jim C. Werker. See Minimum-
Impact Caving Guidelines (https://
caves.org/conservation/cavingcode.
Figure 1: 28 cavers who participated in the cleanup shtml).
10 NSS News, April 2021Figure 5: an old flashcube covered in calcite
Figure 2: map showing the 3 branches of the cave
Take with you: Sustainable Development was approved with
• gloves the definition of the 17 sustainable develop-
• bags ment goals and the 169 sub-goals, aimed
• brush and dustpan at ending poverty, fighting inequality, social
• bubbish pick-up stick, a tool with exten- and economic development, and nature
sion to reach off trail conservation.
• hammer, chisel, trowel (tools for care- Achieving the SDGs requires collabora-
fully removing objects calcified into tions among governments, institutions, the
cave surfaces, after thoughtful inspec- private business sector, civil society, and
tion and do-no-harm evaluation) citizens to ensure a better planet for future
• mini vacuum cleaner generations.
• spray bottles with water, brushes with Based on 131 available indicators that
soft bristles, and sponges to catch allow coverage of 105 of the 169 SDG
excess water (when cleaning human sub-objectives, Italy has currently achieved
Figure 3: electrical cable remnants calcited
impacts from cave surfaces) into surfaces 12 of the 2030 objectives and our nation is
close to accomplishing other objectives. For
What Did We Find in the Cave? The Sustainable Development example, throughout Italy we have already
In all cave areas, we found remains of Goals in Italian Speleology achieved the targets for sanitation, access to
electrical cables, especially near the electrical During the “Clean Up the Dark” day clean electricity and fuels, and percentage
and monitoring stations; some of these were at Pertosa-Auletta, the Italian Speleological of land area covered by trees (targets 6.3,
calcited into cave surfaces (Fig. 3). Society (SSI) organized a workshop to 7.1 and 15.1). However, some challenges
Numerous plastic objects were collected, explore and understand global development remain; Italy is still a long way off with objec-
in some cases covered by calcite (Fig. 4). issues, and to help us prepare for wide- tives relating to teacher training, violence
Other objects found: coins, clothing, spread promotion during the Interna-tional against women, and the national percentage
light bulbs, corrugated pipes, nails, iron, Year of Caves and Karst 2021. We specifi- of young people not in ed-ucation, employ-
chewing gum, electrical tape residues, old cally discussed the relationships between ment, or training programs (objectives 4.c,
flashes ... (Fig. 5) show caves, speleology, and sustainable 5.2 and 8.6). However, the really big chal-
development goals. lenge is a knowledge-based transition to
Suggestions for Show Cave The Sustainable Development Goals sustainable development.
Management (SDGs) are 17 goals agreed upon by 150 The workshop was based on these 5
• Sensitize tourists (at the entrance!) inter national leaders from the United discussion points:
about the abandonment of waste in Na-tions Organization in September 2015. 1. Formulate the way in which Italian
the cave. Each goal fits three overarching catagories: Speleology contributes to the SDGs;
• The cave guides must collect waste to contribute to global development; to 2. Identify common contributions to insti-
along the walking paths. promote human well-being; and to protect tutions and to the public;
• Plan at least two events per year for the environment. The 2030 Agenda for 3. Increase the visibility of the importance
cleaning the underground environment. of karst and caves;
• It is necessary to schedule reconnais- 4. Improve the involvement of speleolo-
sance of the lighting system. Verify the gists and increase the possibilities of
functioning of the lamps and remove or support for protection actions;
replace worn or degraded appliances. 5. Present the results on the occasions of
• All waste produced from cave main- the 70th Anniversary of the SSI and
tenance works must be transported at events of the International Year of
outside of the cave environment. Caves and Karst 2021.
• If work in the cave is carried out by
external companies, it is necessary to In particular, we identify the following
remind the workers and supervisors of goals within the SDGs to aid in formulat-
the absolute prohibition of abandoning ing the ways in which Italian Speleology
waste. and caves contribute to the international
Figure 4: Plastic objects collected were often
covered in calcite. Sustainable Development Goals.
NSS News, April 2021 11SDG 3: To ensure health and well- together from many scientific disciplines to SDG 17. Strengthen the means of
being for all ages; cooperate in studies of the impacts of climate implementing the objectives and renew
Our focus group identifies that caves and change in cave environments, fluxuations the global partnership for sus-tainable
speleology contribute to the goal through: in spelean microclimates, documenting development;
speleotherapy, thermal baths in caves (Grotta biodiversity variations, and investigating In reading this document, we are
Giusti https://www.grottagiustispa.com). paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental recon- contributing to the goals of partnerships
Cave visits also can enhance physical health structions from cave concretions. for sustainable development. As SSI and
and mental balance for all ages. the speleological community, we believe
SDG 14. Conserve and sustainably use in meetings (national and international),
SDG 4. Provide quality, equitable, the oceans, seas and marine resources relationships/partnerships with other
and inclusive education and learning for sustainable development; speleological organizations, touristic cave
opportunities for all; Speleologists investigate the Importance associations, schools, public education
Speleology contributes constantly to of marine caves and coast monitoring, study services, national and regional Parks, and
general public educational outreach and, in marine bio-speleology, and promote citizen local authorities. An important moment for
some cases, caving groups include educa- science contributions on marine caves and sharing these goals will be Speleo Kamaraton
tion as part of their established objectives. groundwaters (https://phreatic.org/). 2021 International Meeting of Speleology
Examples include: speleology courses (I-II-III (http://www.speleokamaraton.eu/).
level); guided excursions; museum collabo- SDG 15. Protect, restore, and promote
rations; conferences/conventions; events sustainable use of terrestrial ecosys- Advancing the United Nations
(inlcuding speleo diversity events for people tems, sustainably manage for-ests, Sustainable Development Goals
with disabilities); outreach campaigns, such combat desertification, halt and The strength of the Italian speleological
as “The water we will drink” (http://www. reverse land degradation, and halt community vision is enabled by:
acquacheberremo.it/); project planning biodiversity loss; • The interconnected speleological
(PON, POR, LIFE), schools/didactics proj- Caves are ecosystems with relevant community;
ects, documentation and scientific study; genetic diversity. Speleology contributes • Excellent experience and local
cave cadaster/library/publications; steward- to the conservation of biodiversity through knowledge;
ship outreach; participation in exhibitions/ appropriate cave protection measures, regu- • Trust and common goals.
fairs; training events; all with total respect lar monitoring, and official descriptions of These strengths must be used to
for gender equality. new species. The bio-speleological research promote the conservation of caves and karst
of the Italian speleological community and in the broader perspective of the Sustainable
SDG 6. Ensure the availability and SSI advance the study of biodiversity in Development Goals.
sustainable management of water and underground habitats (https://animalidi-
sanitation facilities for all; grotta.speleo.it/). SSI maintains a catalogue References
Speleologists and cavers contribute of the fauna in natural and artificial caves https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/
constantly to: monitoring, surface and cave throughout Italy. As well, SSI supports the VdHK POSITION PAPER SUSTAINABILITY:
exploration; cave diving exploration and monitoring and protection of bat colonies, Contribution of German cave and karst
research to the UN Sustainable Development
survey, hydrogeology studies; “Clean Up the and advocates specific cave access protocols
Goals (Agenda 2030)
Dark” actions (https://www.puliamoilbuio. in collaboration with bat specialists. UIS Bulletin Volume 60-1 - July 2018 :Cave
it/). In many areas, cavers are the guardians For SSI, it is important to protect caves Protection at the Highest Level: UIS Engaged
of the underground and of the karst waters. and cave life by including underground habi- in “UN Global Sustainable Development Goals”
tats in the environmental conservation laws By Bärbel Vogel (Germany) - UIS Adjunct
SDG 8. Promote sustained, inclusive, of the European Community. Supporting Secretary
and sustainable economic growth, the protection of these biotopes is often Hildreth-Werker V, Werker JC, 2006. Do Cavers
Need a Code of Conduct? [Minimum Impact
full and productive employment, and fundamentally based on the presence of
Code of Ethics for Caving]. In: Hildreth-
decent work for all; bats that use cavities for hibernation; in Werker V, Werker JC, editors. 2006. Cave
Caves are also an important economic fact, they are protected in accordance with Conservation and Restoration. Huntsville,
resource for tourism and valorization of the Directive 92/43 / EEC of 21 May 1992 Alabama: National Speleological Society. p
territory. Speleology assists this economic on the conservation of natural habitats and 266. [Chapter pp 263-267.]
process and enhances balance in the sustain- wild fauna and flora (Directive Habitat). Hildreth-Werker V, Werker JC, editors. 2006.
able conservation of natural and cultural If the caves are identified as HABITAT Cave Conservation and Restoration. Huntsville,
Alabama: National Speleological Society. xiv+
resources. Moreover, speleology offers of Community Interest (tourist caves are
600 p. [Honored in the U.S. and Australia with
training for job opportunities in multiple excluded), and the species living in the caves several awards, the volume contains a wealth
disciplines including rope access integrated are safeguarded based on their presence of detail from 46 contributors describing tools
services, tree-climbing, internships in speleo- or absence in the Annexes of the Directive and methods for cave conservation manage-
logical sciences and resource management, as species of community interest, the cave ment, restoration, and speleothem repair.]
work-study jobs, educational cave tour inno- and its fauna are considered protected Available at the NSS Bookstore https://
vations in the outdoor sector, as well as tours ecosystems. members.caves.org/store/default.aspx
to mines and museums. SSI supports these protection initiatives ISBN 1-879961-15-6
by structuring regional cave registers that
SDG 13. Take urgent action to combat report protection status. These registers are a
climate change and its impacts; fundamental tool that competent authorities
Speleology contributes to monitoring use in land and resource management of the
climate changes. The speleological commu- territory (https://speleo.it/catastogrotte/).
nity is very sensible in promoting plastic-free,
sustainable product use. Speleologists come
12 NSS News, April 2021You can also read
