Why is karst important?
1. Karst regions contain aquifers that are capable of providing large supplies of water.
More than 25 percent of the world’s population either lives on or obtains its water from karst aquifers. In the United States, approximately 20 percent of the land surface is karst and roughly 20 percent of all groundwater withdrawals in the year 2000 came from karst aquifers (Maupin and Barber, 2005).
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2. Karst regions are home to unique animals that have evolved to live in darkness.
This long-tailed salamander (Eurycea l. longicauda) was photographed on a cave floor in Carter County, Kentucky. This species is often found in caves and depends on subterranean waters for reproduction. (Photographer: Kevin Saunders, Location: Carter County, Kentucky, USA and Biology Category Winner 2022).
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3. Karst regions contain speleothems that inspire awe and that contain information about Earth’s past climate.
These waterfalls and travertines are on average 550 meters below the earth’s surface, and in order to reach it, it is necessary to proceed on a difficult 3000-meter track starting from the entrance of Safranbolu Bulak cave (Photographer: Cemil Belder, Location: the “Bulak Mencilis ” cave in Safranbolu, Turkey; 2nd Place Winner for KWI Photo Contest, 2022).
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- Cave formations (speleothems) – Photographs and explanation by Dave Burnell
- NASAs paleoclimate page
4. Karst regions have been and are part of human history.
A woman is washing baskets at a spring. Note the outhouse above the spring orifice. (Photographer: Alan E Fryar, Location: Puding County, Guizhou Province, China and KWI Photo Contest Cultural History Category Winner 2022).
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5. Karst regions can just be fun to visit!
When visiting, please respect the natural resources and cave softly.
(Photographer: Cameron de Wet, Location: Titan Cave, Wyoming, USA and former Wilson Scholarship Awardee 2022 ).