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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...

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...

For more information, see our website, go to our Facebook page or contact our Chairman.



British Cave Research Association (UK registered charity 267828). Registered Office: Old Methodist Chapel, Great Hucklow, BUXTON, SK17 8RG
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