Monitoring Karst Aquifers in North Alabama for the Protection of Sensitive Aquatic Biota
Session Type
Technical Sessions: Conservation Science
Start Date
18-8-2020 1:30 PM
Description
Cave ecosystems in north Alabama provide vital habitat for numerous conservation concern species, including the federally endangered Alabama Cavefish (Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni), Alabama Cave Shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae), and Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens), as well as other conservation priority species such as the Southern Cavefish (Typhlichthys subter-raneus), Alabama Cave Crayfish (Cambarus jonesi), and Phantom Cave Crayfish (Cambarus pecki), among others. The Alabama Cave shrimp population and water quality in Bobcat Cave on Redstone Arsenal in Madison County, Alabama, have been monitored since 1990. Key Cave, found in Lauderdale County, Alabama, is a satellite of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and has been designated as critical habitat for the Alabama Cavefish, which is known only from pools within that cave. The aquatic fauna in Cathedral Caverns is diverse, although none of its members are currently afforded protection. Groundwater studies in these cave systems have been conducted to determine in recharge areas and aquifer characteristics to enable local, state, and federal agencies and interested citizens to develop, manage, and protect the water resources that support these species. Water level, specific conductance, and temperature data have been collected using data loggers on an hour-ly/daily schedule to evaluate and document flow conditions and seasonal flow variability, to establish a water level baseline, and to determine aquifer characteristics in the area within and around these caves.
Recommended Citation
Ponta,, Gheorghe Presenter, "Monitoring Karst Aquifers in North Alabama for the Protection of Sensitive Aquatic Biota" (2020). Conservation of Fragile Karst Resources Proceedings. 15.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/con_karst_res_proc/con_karst_pro_2020/day_one/15
Monitoring Karst Aquifers in North Alabama for the Protection of Sensitive Aquatic Biota
Cave ecosystems in north Alabama provide vital habitat for numerous conservation concern species, including the federally endangered Alabama Cavefish (Speoplatyrhinus poulsoni), Alabama Cave Shrimp (Palaemonias alabamae), and Gray Bat (Myotis grisescens), as well as other conservation priority species such as the Southern Cavefish (Typhlichthys subter-raneus), Alabama Cave Crayfish (Cambarus jonesi), and Phantom Cave Crayfish (Cambarus pecki), among others. The Alabama Cave shrimp population and water quality in Bobcat Cave on Redstone Arsenal in Madison County, Alabama, have been monitored since 1990. Key Cave, found in Lauderdale County, Alabama, is a satellite of the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge and has been designated as critical habitat for the Alabama Cavefish, which is known only from pools within that cave. The aquatic fauna in Cathedral Caverns is diverse, although none of its members are currently afforded protection. Groundwater studies in these cave systems have been conducted to determine in recharge areas and aquifer characteristics to enable local, state, and federal agencies and interested citizens to develop, manage, and protect the water resources that support these species. Water level, specific conductance, and temperature data have been collected using data loggers on an hour-ly/daily schedule to evaluate and document flow conditions and seasonal flow variability, to establish a water level baseline, and to determine aquifer characteristics in the area within and around these caves.
Comments
This presentation was part of the Technical Sessions on Conservation Science. Presentation topics ranged from cave conservation techniques, environmental education, community engagement, resource protection assessment, and scientific and cultural research from across the globe. Formats vary from traditional PowerPoints to films to story maps and informal interviews.