NATIONAL CAVE CONSERVATION POLICY

Caves form a unique and vulnerable part of our natural and archaeological heritage. Their conservation is important for many reasons. As a nationally rare and integral element of our national heritage, caves are worthy of conservation in their own right. There is a moral duty to conserve them for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.

Caves also constitute a valuable scientific resource, providing evidence of human cultural change and the development of our landscape as well as changes in our climate. Current concerns about global warming only serve to increase the importance of cave research in helping to understand the impact of past climatic changes, so that predictions can then be made for the future.

If caves are to be conserved for the future, action must be taken now. To achieve cave conservation there must be a close working relationship between owners, cavers and the statutory conservation agencies. It is through such a partnership that both the external and internal threats to the cave environment can be mitigated. The caving community must also accept more responsibility for the practical conservation of features underground.

A cave is one of the most fascinating environments known to man. Each cave is almost a closed world and a clumsy intruder such as man always disturbs it. The slow and steady dripping of water, over almost immeasurable time, has produced exquisite but fragile formations. The cave earth is the home for tiny creatures, bats find the cave environment ideal for winter hibernation, whilst various types of flora struggle for existence in the semi-dark zones.

As you walk along, you compact the cave earth. Organisms from outside are brought in on your boots and clothing and affect the cave ecosystem. Formations get knocked. The first duty of every caver should be to protect the cave from his or her own actions and to educate others in basic cave conservation.

WATCH THE FLOOR

The cave floor is the most easily damaged part of the cave and requires special attention. Take a close look at the floor and get to know it. Observe the creatures that live on it. Never walk on crystal floors, gours or flowstones. Many mud formations are also unique and should be avoided. Where areas have been taped off, never cross or move the tapes.

MIND YOUR HEAD

Stalactites, especially straws, are very brittle and may break at a touch. Special care should be taken to avoid walking into these. Do not damage the cave with your head.

TAKE NOTHING BUT PHOTOGRAPHS

Everything in a cave should be protected. This obviously means formations, cave pearls and all cave life such as spiders and beetles. Not so obvious but also included, are broken formations, rocks, bones and any other naturally occurring items. Any material that you take may remove evidence that a scientist may need to understand the cave.

LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND

Leave no litter, no cigarette ends, no chocolate wrappers, no flash bulbs and no spent carbide. The latter is one of the most difficult things to clear up and should always be removed even in a cave with an active stream. The cardinal rule is to take everything out that you take in.

THE SENSE OF TOUCH

Feeling the texture of the rock can be a rewarding experience. However, handling any formation leaves mud and/or fingerprints which when covered with a new layer of calcite are preserved for ever; this can happen in a short space of time. Never give in to the temptation to touch any formation, whether wet or dry.

SCIENTIFIC EQUIPMENT

Scientists put a lot of time, funding and effort into their research, never touch or disturb any scientific equipment that you might find in a cave.

DIGGING

Do not dig without proper consent. Undisturbed sand or mud banks can be valuable sources of information about the cave and its surroundings. There may also be archaeological remains which would need recorded excavation to safeguard all their potential data.