The Cave Environment: limestone caves provide unique natural laboratories for studying biological and geological processes
Poulson TL and White WB. 1969. The Cave Environment: limestone caves provide unique natural laboratories for studying biological and geological processes. Science. 165(3897):971-981
A review of the uses of caves in the study of biological and geological questions. Particular topics discussed include: 1) hydrological regimes in karst regions; 2) origin and dispersal of cave animals; 3) caves as ecological, evolutionary, and mineralogical laboratories; 4) cave microfauna; and 5) biogeography of troglobites. An explanation of the general cave environment and historical background on cave research is presented. Mammoth Cave National Park, KY is cited as a logical place were research in these areas could be carried out due to its extensive cave systems and pre-existing protected areas within the park. Multiple examples of cave fauna are given with a discussion of the origin and dispersal of cave animals. Quite a bit of discussion centers around the spring-dwelling fish, Chologaster agassizi, and the Southern and Northern cave fish, Typhlichthys subterraneus and Amblyopsis spelaea.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Poulson, Thomas; White, William
- Units
- MACA
- Keywords
- Animals, Biogeography, Caves, Hydrology, Karst, Research & Studies, Troglobites