A conservation status index, as an auxiliary tool for the management of cave environments

This study presents a method to rank caves according to their priority for conservation and restoration. Nine caves were evaluated; and the indicators related to the environmental impacts and the vulnerability status presented by those caves (intrinsic features) and the values scored in a 'Cave...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of speleology 2014-09, Vol.43 (3), p.315-322
Main Authors: Donato, Christiane, Ribeiro, Adauto, Souto, Leandro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Caves
Conservation
Conservation status
Environmental impact
Lithology
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Summary:This study presents a method to rank caves according to their priority for conservation and restoration. Nine caves were evaluated; and the indicators related to the environmental impacts and the vulnerability status presented by those caves (intrinsic features) and the values scored in a 'Cave Conservation Index' (CCI) were established. The authors also used a rapid assessment protocol to measure cave vulnerability for prioritization of conservation/restoration actions comparing natural cavities with the same lithology, due to "strictu sensu" peculiarities. Based on the protocols applied in caves of the municipality of Laranjeiras, Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil, they concluded that the present method attended to the needs for the classification of the caves into categories of conservation/restoration status, using little time and financial effort, through rapid diagnostics that facilitate the comparisons. In this perspective, the CCI can be used to indicate areas that should be protected and caves that should be prioritized to have initiated activities of conservation and restoration.
ISSN:0392-6672
1827-806X
DOI:10.5038/1827-806X.43.3.8