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UID:pretalx-nss-convention-2026-CJS8EE@talks.caving.dev
DTSTART;TZID=EST:20260707T094000
DTEND;TZID=EST:20260707T100000
DESCRIPTION:Cave Biologists Drew Thompson\, Colin Strickland\, and Mark San
 ders of Austin Water Wildland Conservation presented at the NSS Convention
  in 2024 on a case study on the excavation of filled karst features and th
 e effects on the cave ecosystems. The goal of the project is to excavate f
 illed karst features to encourage healthy habitat and clean water recharge
  and to document changes of the cave's biology and hydrology. For the past
  two years we have continued this project by opening and documenting new f
 eatures as well as continuing the research on the previously excavated fea
 tures. When done correctly\, opening and expanding a cave can be extremely
  beneficial to the overall health of the ecosystem. Biologists documented 
 the colonization of the previously filled features by trogloxenes such as 
 cave crickets and bats. This was followed by an increase in abundance and 
 diversity of cave obligate species. As development in Central Texas impact
 s both groundwater resources and cave habitat for endangered fauna\, the n
 eed to safeguard more cave habitat necessitates looking at features that w
 ere previously filled or overlooked. Despite many obstacles\, the team wen
 t to great lengths to ensure minimal impact and diligent documentation\, m
 aking this study a continuing cave excavation success story.
DTSTAMP:20260826T232052Z
LOCATION:205
SUMMARY:The Effects of Excavation on Cave Ecosystems (Two Years Later) - 
URL:https://talks.caving.dev/nss-convention-2026/talk/CJS8EE/
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