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Photo: Stefan Zaenker
International Union of Speleology UIS List of Endangered caves and karst
Caves and karst are threatened by destruction and pollution
Caves and karst are threatened by destruction and pollution
Caves and karst are vulnerable as sensitive features, and human activities like construction, such as infrastructure and raw material extraction in quarries and mines, destroy them. Limestone and, in particular, the rare gypsum karst are seriously threatened because they are rarely recycled, even though this would be easy in the case of gypsum.
Photos: Nathalia Uasapud
Landfills and other forms of pollution endanger caves, groundwater, and their ecosystems. Karst groundwaters are particularly susceptible to the transmission of bacteria, for example, from poorly designed wastewater systems, and pollutants, such as pesticides and herbicides from agricultural land, hydrocarbons from roads and fuel storage facilities, and sediment from agriculture, extractive industry, and development. There are also many examples of excessive withdrawal of groundwater from karst, which commonly leads to subsidence or catastrophic collapse on the surface.
In an effort to educate and help about the problems associated with caves and karst, the UIS presents a list of endangered caves and karst formations and calls for their protection!
This map shows problem areas where
UIS is assisting to find solutions.
Lastest Case of Endangered Caves and Karst
Lastest Case of Endangered Caves and Karst
Gypsum karst of Qestenberg. Photo: M.K.Brust
Spain
Status: Ongoing
Type: Limestone karst with important water resources.
Description: A quarry operated by the Heidelberg Materials Group cut a section (approximately 65 m) of epiphreatic karst conduits, part of a preferred karst circulation route less than a kilometer upstream from the main discharge point of the Badaia karst. Quarrying activities are expected to last for at least 30 more years.
Further support: supporting letter
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