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CAVING
SOFTLY Cave
exploration is essential to conservation. Cavers map the passable extent of
caves and provide this information to planners and developers, helping to
avoid damage to caves and buildings. Cavers provide inventories of wildlife
and geology, photograph and document the beauty of caves, and participate in
research related to groundwater, hydrology, and microbe collection. Many
benefits come from exploration but destruction can accompany discovery, and
the damage is not always visible to the unaided eye. As cavers and scientists increase our knowledge of cave geology and ecosystems, caving practices which were formerly considered acceptable are called into question. For instance, caves were once thought to be nearly devoid of life, until collection techniques diversified to the point that the unusual bacteria found in cave environments could be sampled. Cavers became aware that their very presence in caves poses a threat to unseen populations of previously unknown, and yet unknown, microbes. Fastidious practices once considered superfluous outside of clean areas, such as washing gear between visits to different caves and eating over a plastic bag, have become necessary precautions on all trips, to avoid introducing foreign organisms into the minute but teeming life of a cave. For exploration of pristine caves, the list of precautions grows longer. |
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By
following the guidelines appropriate for specific caves, and refraining from
visiting the most vulnerable caves, caver impact can be minimized, and
ecosystems and pristine beauty can be preserved. Caving softly means knowing
when to take extra precautions, slowing down and considering the best way to
move around a formation, staying on trails, and using common sense
Rules of 3 for Caving
By Val Hildreth-Werker
Easy-to-remember safety suggestions
Minimum Impact Caving Code
By Jim Werker & Val Hildreth-Werker
Burrito Bags How-to
By Jim and Val Hildreth- Werker
going caving means carrying out all wastes
Pages
and their contents © Copyright 2001-2004 by the Conservation Division of the
National Speleological Society, except where otherwise noted. Photo by Dave Bunnell