Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 4 of 4
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Spill Retention And Routine Runoff Filtration Structures On Interstate 65 In The Vicinity Of Mammoth Cave National Park, Rick Olson
Mammoth Cave Research Symposia
In the early 70’s, I conducted an ecological study on the Doghill-Donahue Cave System in Southern Indiana. This cave remained relatively un-impacted until Highway 37 was widened near Bedford, and the cave was engineered to be a storm sewer for highway runoff . The consequences of facilitated water entry and easy access for spelunkers via an ungated culvert entrance were severe. Sediments washed into the cave smelled like putrid rubber when disturbed, habitat for cave life was trampled, and beautiful delicate mineral features were smashed. Anticipating that I-65 would someday be widened, I was concerned about possible consequences to Mammoth …
Potential Effects Of Hydrogen Sulfide And Hydrocarbon Seeps On Mammoth Cave Ecosystems, Rick Olson
Potential Effects Of Hydrogen Sulfide And Hydrocarbon Seeps On Mammoth Cave Ecosystems, Rick Olson
Mammoth Cave Research Symposia
Recently, Mammoth Cave Guide Bruce Hatcher reported what appeared to be contaminated water seeping into Marianne’s Pass. I visited the site and concluded that it was not likely due to pollution, and that it was a natural phenomenon. To be sure, I sampled the water for fecal coliform and E. coli analyses since sewer lines are in the area. The results were <1 mpn/100ml in both cases. A sulfur spring is mentioned at this site in Rambles in the Mammoth Cave, which was published in 1845, and this predates any well drilling that could lead to hydrocarbon and sulfide pollution. Another line of evidence that the seeps are natural is that they are all deeply weathered into the bedrock, which takes a long time. The seeps support thousands of springtails, which feed on the microbial mats, and crickets are common as well. A possible effect on biodiversity will be discussed.
Antibiotic Resistance And Substrate Utilization By Bacteria Affi Liated With Cave Streams At Diff Erent Levels Of Mammoth Cave, Petra Byl, Shannon R. Trimboli, Rick Toomey, Jacob Byl, David Solomon, Tom Byl
Antibiotic Resistance And Substrate Utilization By Bacteria Affi Liated With Cave Streams At Diff Erent Levels Of Mammoth Cave, Petra Byl, Shannon R. Trimboli, Rick Toomey, Jacob Byl, David Solomon, Tom Byl
Mammoth Cave Research Symposia
Located in south-central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave is one of the most unique National Parks in the United States. The surface landscape includes complex relationships between the flora and fauna along with human influences. However, the primary ecological focus is concealed below ground. Over four-hundred miles of cave passages, created by fl owing groundwater over millions of years, host a variety of macro and micro organisms. The Green River has cut into the limestone formation over geologic time, creating a complex network of passages that are stacked, one below the other, with the newer levels of cave lying near the bottom. …
Using Lidar To Link Forest Canopy Structure With Bat Activity And Insect Occurrence: Preliminary Findings, Luke E. Dodd, Nicholas S. Skowronski, Matthew B. Dickinson, Michael J. Lacki, Lynne K. Rieske
Using Lidar To Link Forest Canopy Structure With Bat Activity And Insect Occurrence: Preliminary Findings, Luke E. Dodd, Nicholas S. Skowronski, Matthew B. Dickinson, Michael J. Lacki, Lynne K. Rieske
Mammoth Cave Research Symposia
Bats are an imperiled, yet ecologically-important group of vertebrate predators. Our ongoing research focuses on testing hypotheses about the relationships between the effects of fire on canopy structure and insect prey availability, and how these factors relate to use of foraging space by bats during the pre- and post-hibernation periods at Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP). LiDAR-derived data (October 2010) were intersected with spatially explicit sampling of bat and insect populations (2010-2011) in order to characterize relationships between canopy structure, insect abundance, and bat activity. A canonical correspondence analysis for bat data suggested that forest canopy structure has a strong …