Online Event

November 6-7,2023

Abstract Deadline:

July 28, 2023

The CaveMAB Network will be hosting a free, international webinar, Sustainable Tourism Solutions in Cave and Karst Biosphere Reserves, on November 6-7 2023. The webinar will be held in recognition of the UNESCO International Day of Biosphere Reserves as we take “inspiration from of the solutions already implemented in BRs to build genuinely sustainable development everywhere, with full respect for nature and for the living world.”  Keynote speakers include Dr. Natasa Ravbar, Senior Research Associate, Karst Research Institute of Slovenia, and Dr. Kelly Cerialo, Professor, Paul Smiths College, Champlain Adirondacks Biosphere Network, USA. 

We invite you to share presentations on implementation, management, and/or research for sustainable tourism solutions have been implemented at your Biosphere Reserve. For those interested we ask you to submit a brief abstract in English (150 words maximum) to cavemab@protonmail.com. This Zoom online meeting will include two half-day sessions each beginning with a keynote address followed by selected presentations. Each speaker will have 12 minutes to present followed by a 3-minute period for questions. A presentation template will be provided. Proceedings will be published online following the webinar.

Primary Sponsor

T125. Karst Hazards and Monitoring

Co-chairs: Daniel Jones; Jeanne Sumrall

Endorsers: GSA Karst Division; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Geophysics and Geodynamics Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute; Karst Waters Institute

Hazards (e.g., sinkholes, pollution, radon, development) and monitoring approaches (e.g., GIS applications, historical data analyses) in karst landscapes, including technical applications (e.g., LiDAR, 3D scanning, geodatabase development) and management implications (resource management, education, policy, regulation).

T126. Characterization of Karst Aquifers Using Chemical, Biological, and Hydrogeological Data

Co-chairs: Traugott Scheytt; and Ferry Schiperski

Endorsers: GSA Karst Division; GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division

This session focuses on state-of-the-art approaches for karst aquifer characterization. We welcome all research on karst vulnerability assessment, pollution, modeling, and field methods from all disciplines.

T127. Karst Sedimentary, Paleoclimate, and Historical Records

Co-chairs: Natasha Sekhon, Daniel Jones;

Endorsers: GSA Karst Division; GSA Geochronology Division; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; GSA Sedimentary Geology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute; Karst Waters Institute; Geochemical Society

Cave deposits (sediments, speleothems, tufa, etc.), karst environmental records (sedimentary, carbonate stratigraphy, etc.), and geoarchaeological and historical investigations to interpret past climates, landscapes, extreme events, and land-use histories, and to model or predict future changes.

T128. Karst Ecosystems and Biogeochemistry

Co-chairs: Daniel Jones; Patricia N. Kambesis

Endorsers: GSA Karst Division; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Geobiology and Geomicrobiology Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute; Karst Waters Institute; Geochemical Society

This session seeks abstracts that deal with the study of cave and karst ecosystems, including the identification, quantification, and/or discussion of biota, flora, microbial, and related biogeochemical processes or environments in or near karst features.

T129. Karst Hydrology and Hydrogeology

Co-chairs: Lewis Land; Natasha Sekhon

Endorsers: GSA Karst Division; GSA Environmental and Engineering Geology Division; GSA Hydrogeology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute; Karst Waters Institute; Geochemical Society

This session covers fundamental aspects of fluid-rock interactions within karst landscapes, including geologic, hydrogeologic, and hydrologic investigations. Appropriate topics range from dye tracing and aquifer processes to surface-subsurface hydrologic interactions and quantitative modeling.

T130. Karst Processes and Speleology

Co-chairs: Daniel Jones; Patricia N. Kambesis

Endorsers: GSA Karst Division; GSA Mineralogy, Geochemistry, Petrology, and Volcanology Division; GSA Quaternary Geology and Geomorphology Division; National Cave and Karst Research Institute; Karst Waters Institute; Geochemical Society

This session covers the myriad of cave and karst forming processes, geomorphic evolution of karst landscapes, and cave system development. Includes carbonate weathering, diagenesis, hypogene processes, carbonate mineralogy, structural controls, and pseudokarst processes and features.

Co-sponsored sessions:

T17. Environmental Geochemistry and Health

T50. These Old Mountains Still Got It: Natural Hazards of the Evolving Appalachian Mountain Belt

T53. Rock Art Throughout History

T138. Coastal and Marine Hydrogeology in an Age of Rising Seas: From the Shore to the Oceanic Ridge

T151. Applications of Geophysics to Solve Near Surface Geological Problems

Jimmy Swift and Abigail Brown are part of the Scientist in Parks program working with NCKRI to investigate interesting gypsum precipitates around hot springs located at Valles Caldera National Preserve.

During this summer long internship Abby and Jimmy will be sampling in areas such as this small travertine cave in Soda Dam. Welcome Jimmy and Abby!

Capulin Volcano Internship

Last month you got to meet two of our other summer Scientist in Parks, Joseph Hoberg and Anika Baloun. They have been inventorying volcanic cave features and microbial sampling at Capulin Volcano National Monument.

Photo description: Winner Abby Arbeiter with NCKRI's SIP Science Communication intern, Raquel Lugo (above) and Kat Wood (below ). Abby and Kat were presented with a light donated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for two lucky users of the decon station during convention.

Presentations and Outreach

NCKRI staff presented in multiple sessions during the convention, including Conservation & Management, Speleology for Cavers, and Cultures of Caving.

Educational material created for the decon station can be found here. We would like to thank all of the attendees, volunteers and federal employees who made this convention a wonderful learning experience. We hope to see you next year!