Julian Lewis
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 - 9:30-10:00
Over the past 35 years we have sampled the fauna of about 600 of the 2,200 caves known in Indiana. Thus, the Subterranean Community in about 1 of every 4 caves has been characterized. This may well be the highest ratio of sampled:known caves of any state in the U.S. Many caves occur on lands managed by agencies like the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy or the Indiana Karst Conservancy. The Faunistic Components that are present are well known and can be managed appropriately. In cases where faunal communities remain unprotected the Bioinventory Knowlege makes it possible to target new acquisitions. In contrast, in Tennessee over 8000 caves are known, inhabited by a very diverse assemblage of obligate subterranean animals (troglobites). These range from federal endangered species, to globally rare (but unprotected) species. The majority of this diversity in caves is comprised of a poorly known assemblage of invertebrates. Unlike surface environments, where at least a superficial estimate can visually be made of a site, caves can be evaluated only by entering them and sampling the fauna. As work continues, challenges include keeping in front of developments, while at the same time expertise in the field dwindles.
Keywords: SUBTERRANEAN COMMUNITY, FAUSISTIC COMPONENTS, BIOINVENTORY KNOWLEDGE