Tourism activities in caves can result in changes in the microclimates of caves. The natural microclimate in closed caves is constant due to the balance between cave air and cave walls, while in open ...caves exchanges with outside air influence the microclimate. Visits to caves, especially in closed smaller caves, can thus endanger the natural balance if the microclimate does not return to natural conditions quickly enough.Continuous monitoring of the temperature and concentration of carbon dioxide in Škocjan Caves enables the assessment of the impact of visits. For this purpose, we used data measured in the relatively closed Silent Cave, at the locations named Calvary (Kalvarija), Tent (Šotor), and Passage (Prehod) in 2016, and in the wide open Murmuring Cave, at the locations named Bridge (Most) and Rimstone Pools (Ponvice), in 2013. The outdoor air temperature, as measured at the Škocjan meteorological station on the surface plateau, was considered in both cases. Along the tourist part of Škocjan Caves, the most closed part of the cave in Silent Cave is the location at Calvary, when the entrance doors through an artificially dug tunnel are closed. During the visits, the microclimate is subjected to draughts through open doors and to anthropogenic emissions. The data suggest that the influence of draughts predominates over direct anthropogenic emissions. In winter or on cold days air flows upwards and through the tunnel out of the cave, whereas in summer or on warm days it flows downwards. In such cases, the CO2 concentration decreases markedly due to the downwards chimney effect as the concentration in the outside air is much lower than in the cave. The data show that the temperature overnight and towards morning always returns to its natural value even in this
rather small location in the cave. The changes in CO2 concentration persist for a longer period, until the time of the first visit the next morning, when it is again perturbed by a new visit. The data on time courses support the theoretically estimated characteristic of the exponential decline of disturbances backward towards natural conditions, depending on the size of a cave and on the efficiency of exchanges with its walls. For temperature, this characteristic time tT is about three to six hours at the Calvary site. The return of CO2 to natural conditions tCO2 is longer and its estimate less reliable than the one for temperature. In the wide-open and large Murmuring Cave, the impact of visits is negligible throughout the year. In this part of the cave we can observe the influence of external daily and annual changes, the amplitudes of which get smaller, and their phase lags bigger, deeper in the cave.
Within the UNESCO Škocjan Caves, detailed geological structural mapping of the cave passages and of the surface above the cave revealed interesting structural-lithological characteristics of two ...major collapse dolines, Velika Dolina and Mala Dolina. As a result of the karst processes effects and the formation of collapse dolines, older—stratigraphically lower—carbonates of the Sežana Formation (K
2
2−4
) crop out at the surface, underlying rocks of the younger Lipica Formation (K
2
4−5
). Here we do not recognize karst windows only in a geomorphological sense but, acknowledging the characteristic lithostratigraphical relationships involved, we suggest use of the new expression “karst stratigraphical window”. Recognizing that karstic areas contain numerous collapse dolines and other doline types, we presume that many more examples of karst stratigraphical windows exist, and that these are distinct from tectonic windows. Our study showed the importance that during the making of detailed geological surface maps of karst areas, it is essential to examine features such as collapse dolines, which may be identified as karst stratigraphical windows. Therefore, providing additional geological data, information about the stratigraphic boundaries and geological structure, in areas without abundance of outcropping rocks is resulting in a more inclusive and comprehensive geological maps.
Article highlights
Detailed (in-situ) geological mapping of the karst surface and subsurface is emphasized as important base for all future karst studies.
Karst stratigraphical windows that differ from tectonic windows, were reported for the first time.
The geology of Škocjan Caves with collapse dolines, is a reference point for other sites, that might have karst stratigraphical windows.
Light eutrophication in show caves and other light-deprived humid environments can support visible growth of microbial mats, with photoautotrophs as the dominant group of organisms. Photosynthetic ...pigments of aerophytic cyanobacteria and eukaroytic algae impose a greenish patina upon surfaces to which -- with other community members -- they adhere strongly. Diverse eukaryotic algae, fungi, flagellates and amoebozoans were also identified within the community. These "human induced diversity hotspots" in caves are responsible for the biodeterioration of colonized surfaces that is a common result of the synergistic effects of phototrophs and heterotrophs. When sites become colonized by higher plants, such as mosses, liverworts and ferns in species succession, irreversible biodeterioration impact on rocks and speleothems becomes an even more urgent issue. Historical inscriptions and rock-art paintings are particularly sensitive to biodeterioration. Lampenflora also affects components of the cave fauna, which not only graze upon it, but also facilitate its dispersal to other parts of the caves. It can be considered a direct indicator for light eutrophication and of the available energy within the cave ecosystem.
Abstract
The aim of the study done in 2011 and 2012 was to identify the number of breeding bird species, to provide population estimates as well as to evaluate the conservational importance of ...Škocjan Caves Park for birds. Common bird species were surveyed using the territory mapping method. Rare species and nocturnally active species were surveyed using species-specific methods: observation, the playback method and the line transect method. 81 species were registered, 49 of which bred within the boundaries of the Park. The most abundant breeding species were Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla (260-320 breeding pairs), Robin Erithacus rubecula (250-310 breeding pairs), Blackbird Turdus merula (230-280 breeding pairs), Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs (230-280 breeding pairs) and Marsh Tit Poecile palustris (200-240 breeding pairs). Qualifying species for the Special Protected Area (SPA) Kras (SI5000023) also bred within the Park: Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus, Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus, Scops Owl Otus scops and Woodlark Lululla arborea. Eagle Owl Bubo bubo was also registered, but breeding attempts during the study period were unsuccessful due to the negative influence of several factors. One of the largest colonies of Alpine Swifts Apus melba, a rare and localized species in Slovenia, is also of conservation concern.
The author of this paper, who is an ethnologist and is employed at the Skocjan Caves Park, looks at the provisions of the Skocjanske Jame Regional Park Act that monitors and safeguards the cultural ...landscape in this area. The article first looks at the problems involved in the safeguarding of dry stone walls in the Park, and then explores the regulation on the construction and restoration of dry stone walls. Finally it discusses the conservation guidelines on the safeguarding and monitoring of the protected cultural landscape in the Skocjan Caves Park.
A negative attitude toward wetlands along with an ignorance regarding them and a lack of awareness about their value have often led to their transformation by humans. Their massive degradation and ...consequently their disappearance were the main reasons for the establishment of the Ramsar Convention, the first intergovernmental agreement on the preservation and sustainable use of wetlands. There are three wetlands in Slovenia on the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance: the Secovlje salt pans, Skocjan Caves, and Cerknica Lake and its surroundings. Using a questionnaire survey, we tried to ascertain the level of public awareness about wetlands and attitudes toward their conservation. On the basis of the results acquired, we discovered that public awareness about wetlands conservation depends primarily on the location of residence and the social structure of the population. A negative opinion on the advantages of life in the protected areas within which the Ramsar localities are located was revealed, the result of a lack of information and insufficient knowledge of the environmental and economic functions of wetlands. Effective programs of education and involvement of the population in activities in protected areas must be implemented in the future. The comprehensive education of local people and interdisciplinary cooperation are the key points for changing human perception on the importance of protecting these vulnerable ecosystems.
•Analysis of gravimetric/hydrologic data to constrain karst system hydrodynamics.•Gravity data modelling requires the integration of the autogenic recharge.•Gravity data sensitive to flow conditions ...in the karst conduits.
In this paper we employ a combination of gravity and hydrologic data to constrain a hydraulic model of the Škocjan Caves, an allogenic dominated karstic system in Slovenia. The gravity time-series recorded by a spring-based gravimeter, are carefully analyzed to remove tidal and non-tidal effects and unveil the local hydrologic contribution, which is influenced by the temporary accumulation of water in the cave system during the flood events of the Reka river.
We make use of a combined analysis of three large flood events with peak river discharge of about 200, 230 and 300 m3/s, that caused significant water level and gravity variations sensed by the pressure transducer and by the gravimeter. By the integration of hydraulic modelling we study the different coupled gravimetric-hydrologic responses to these flood events: we show that, depending on the peak discharge and duration of the event, different flow conditions are present in the cave system. In addition to the information provided by the pressure transducer, the gravimeter is sensitive to the flow dynamics in a different sector of the cave due to the choice of its location; this configuration helps to better constrain the hydraulic model.
Moreover, we find that the autogenic recharge by percolating water can significantly affect the gravity time-series and must be considered in related models. By inclusion of both the hydraulic model outcomes and of the modelling of the autogenic recharge, we are able to better explain the gravity transients during the two smaller magnitude events. In particular, during such events the autogenic contribution produces a transient gravity signal, which is about 4 times larger than the allogenic one, while during the largest flood the allogenic contribution drastically overcomes the autogenic effect by a factor 20.
By discussing this case, we prove the potential of terrestrial gravity observation to depict the hydro-dynamics of these complex karstic systems as well as the potential of gravimetry to remotely monitor these storage units.
Monitoring the water movements in karstic areas is a fundamental but
challenging task due to the complexity of the drainage system and the
difficulty in deploying a network of observations. ...Gravimetry offers a valid
complement to classical hydrologic measurements in order to characterize
such systems in which the recharge process causes temporarily accumulation
of large water volumes in the voids of the epi-phreatic system. We show an
innovative integration of gravimetric and hydrologic observations that
constrains a hydrodynamic model of the Škocjan cave system (Slovenia).
We demonstrate how the inclusion of gravity observations improves water mass
budget estimates for the Škocjan area based on hydrological observations
only. Finally, the detectability of water storage variations in other
karstic contexts is discussed with respect to the noise performances of
spring and super-conducting gravimeters.
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