Ecological studies in the Mammoth Cave system of Kentucky II The ecosystem
Barr TC and Kuehne RA. 1971. Ecological studies in the Mammoth Cave system of Kentucky II The ecosystem. Annales de Speleologie. 26(1):47-96
Areas in Mammoth Cave suitable for existence of cavernicoles occur near terminal breakdowns, active vertical shafts, active dripstone, and along the banks of subterranean rivers and lakes. A preliminary microbiological study indicates that most of the bacteria have probably been brought into the cave by percolating or flowing water, and that secondary production in the silt banks of lakes and pools reaches a probable maximum in autumn at the end of the dry season. The quantitative importance of autotrophic microorganisms in the Mammoth Cave ecosystem has not been established. Materials and methods used in this study are presented. Data on air temperature, relative humidity, air currents and rates of evaporation are shown in numerous tables to reflect seasonal variations in the cave microclimates. Three food energy sources are discussed in detail (animal, plant debris, and artifacts from cave commercialization). Aquatic studies of the cave rivers and pools, particularly on the Echo and Roaring River, River Styx, and Crystal Lake areas, looked at water levels, physical and chemical features. Special studies of Neaphaenops tellkampfii and Pseudanophthalmus species were conducted.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Barr, Thomas; Kuehne, Robert
- Units
- MACA
- Keywords
- Air Circulation, Air Temperature, Airflow, Animals, autotrophs, Bacteria, Caves, Climate, Crystal Lake Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Diet, Echo River Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Ecology, Evaporation, Ground Beetles (Carabidae), Habitats, Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Microenvironment, Monitoring, Neaphaenops tellkampfi (Ground Beetle), Productivity, Relative Humidity, River Styx Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Roaring River Mammoth Cave Mammoth Cave National Park KY, Subterranean Rivers & Streams