NSS Convention 2026

Cave Biologists Drew Thompson, Colin Strickland, and Mark Sanders of Austin Water Wildland Conservation presented at the NSS Convention in 2024 on a case study on the excavation of filled karst features and the effects on the cave ecosystems. The goal of the project is to excavate filled 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 features as well as continuing the research on the previously excavated features. 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 impacts both groundwater resources and cave habitat for endangered fauna, the need to safeguard more cave habitat necessitates looking at features that were previously filled or overlooked. Despite many obstacles, the team went to great lengths to ensure minimal impact and diligent documentation, making this study a continuing cave excavation success story.