Why is Cave Science Important?
In addition to being places for exploration and recreation, caves and karst landscapes
are of importance to a wide range of academic disciplines. Caves act as important repositories of
geological and archaeological data, preserving information that would otherwise be lost to
surface erosion and degradation.
Archaeologists find evidence of human activity stretching back literally to the start of
humanity and many of Britain's most important archaeological sites are caves. Biologists have
identified many species that are only found in caves and underground waters, and microbiologists
are finding a wide array of extremophiles some of which may have important medicinal value.
Caves and the deposits they contain hold clues to past landscape change, allowing us to
reconstruct how the Earth's surface has changed over millennia. During the 21st century,
speleothems have become probably the most important archive of information on past climates and
environments. Other cave sediments, some containing pollen, provide additional information. Such
information is critical for understanding how the climate has changed in the past and for
calibrating models of future climate change.
Caves and karst landscapes are also
important for our wellbeing. Many karst areas are host to spectacular scenery, often
designated as National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Historically settlements have
grown up around karst springs, and underground water is valuable as a source of drinking water and
for industry and agriculture. Some 678 million people, around 9% of the global population, rely on
this karst groundwater which underlies some 14% of the world's land area. The same karst aquifers
sustain numerous rivers, wetlands and lakes, many of which are rare aquatic habitats, but are also
prone to contamination.
Knowledge of caves and karst processes is vitally important for protecting our water
supplies from pollution and overuse, and for understanding how water flows through karst aquifers.
Caves are a fantastic resource, enabling hydrogeologists to access karst groundwater systems and
to study them from within. Similarly, many of the World's mineral resources, including the
commodities we use on a daily basis are hosted in karstified rocks. This includes many ore
deposits (lead, zinc, iron and copper) and oil and gas reservoirs. Limestone is needed for cement
and often used as an aggregate resource. The same rocks may hold the key to carbon and hydrogen
storage in future. Understanding karst is crucial for the safe and sustainable use of such
resources. Similarly, understanding karst geohazards such as sinkholes is crucial for the safe
design, construction and operation of the infrastructure we rely on in our daily lives.
For all these reasons, it is essential that we continue to research, understand and
protect caves and karst areas. The BCRA supports and promotes the study of caves and
associated phenomena. We do this in several ways...
- by issuing research grants through our Cave Science and Technology Research Fund
- by operating the British Cave Science Centre at Poole's Cavern in association with the
Buxton Civic Association
- by managing the British Caving Library which is co-funded by the British Caving
Association
- by publishing results of research in our journal, Cave and Karst Science
- by publishing books, and the Cave Studies Series of information booklets
- by organising educational and scientific conferences and meetings
As a registered charity, BCRA is dependent for its income on membership subscriptions,
donations and bequests. Becoming a member of BCRA is a good
way to support our work. You can also support us by...
- participating in our field meetings and lectures
- getting involved in cave science research projects
- volunteering with events and helping to run the organisation
- contributing to BCRA publications
- offering donations and bequests to help run
the Association
For more information, see our website, go to our Facebook page or contact our Chairman.
