Part 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: DuChene-Resource Inventory 19 Section A-Identifying and Protecting Cave Resources Resource Inventory: A Tool for Cave Science, Management, and Restoration Harvey R. DuChene The exploration and study of caves has steadily increased in popularity over the last 50 years. This interest is shown by growth in the membership of the National Speleological Society and similar organizations around the To manage caves world. The growing number of cavers results in increased pressure on known caves. Damage to fragile resources is an almost inevitable conse- effectively, their quence of visitation. It is now recognized that we must take care or caves extent, contents, and find new ways to conserve, protect, study, and enjoy them. and significance In 1988, Congress enacted the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act. must be assessed. (See Appendix I, page 507, for the complete text of the Act. AIso see cave laws, page 220.) This Act mandates the identification of significant caves on federal lands and prohibits: ... the willful disturbance, altering. remuval, sale, receipt, and possession of ... cave resources obtained illegally on Federal lands. The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 instmcts that signifi- cant caves are to be considered in the preparation or implementation of any land-management plan. Through this Act, federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, and US Geological Survey, are mandated to manage and protect caves. To manage caves effectively, their extent, contents, and significance must be assessed. This evaluation requires the methodical gathering, sorting, and interpreting of cave data. The first cave inventory projects led to develop- ment of methods for acquiring this information. Inventory projects are active on both private and federal lands. Many Cave inventory is caves managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park the systematic Service, or the USDA Forest Service, as well as independent cave projects or conservancies, have active inventory programs. The information observation and presented in this chapter is based on the LechuguiIIa Cave Mineral Inven- recording of tory, a project that has been collecting and analyzing geological data in significant features Carlsbad Caverns National Park since 1990. found within a cave. What Is Cave Inventory? Cave inventory is the systematic observation and recording of significant features found within a cave. An inventory may include many types of data on the archaeology, biology, chemistry, hydrology, geology, history, mineralogy, paleontology, speleogenesis, and impacts of modern human use. The amount and type of information collected depends on several factors: the purpose of the project; the nature and complexity of the cave; and technical, financial, personnel, and temporal limitations. 20 Cave Conservation and Restoration Cave inventory is not a new concept. Scientists have been cataloging biota, archaeological sites, and fossil deposits in caves since at least the 17005. These systematic studies are essential for understanding processes, geological history, and biological communities in caves. Since the adoption of the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988, inventories have expanded to include the cataloging of all significant attributes in a cave. Cave mapping is a popular, systematic method for collecting data from caves. Early cave maps were simple, commonly showing passage walls but little or no internal detail. Over time, cave maps have evolved to Cave inventory is include other information such as streams, breakdown, formations, bedrock not a new concept. geology, and other characteristics deemed significant by the survey crew Scientists have been and cartographer. The amount of detail included on a map often depends on the observational skills, drawing ability, and patience of the survey cataloging biota, sketcher. archaeological sites, The term cave survey usually refers to linear and angular measurements and fossil deposits made inside of cave passages. This mathematical data is used to describe in caves since at the location, fonn, and extent of a cave. Typically, a cave survey is used to least the 1700s. make a map of a cave. A cave resource inventOlY lists the contents of a cave. Cave cartography-making maps of caves-has become an art form with cartographers striving to include as much inventory information as possible while making maps that are faithful depictions of the cave. Why Do Inventory? Information is the key to appreciating and understanding caves and their contents-understanding cave systems is the key to managing and protect- ing resources. The amount of detail and specific type of information required depends on the reasons for conducting an inventory. For some projects, a reconnaissance inventory is adequate. Inventory for scientific studies, restoration projects, and management oflarge systems requires more detailed data collection. The depth and breadth of knowledge about various aspects of the cave environment varies widely among map sketchers. Thus, the data included on maps, especially of large and complex systems, is inherently inconsis- tent. This is particularly true where many sketchers are responsible for mapping a large cave. The cave inventory process utilizes checklists that help survey teams and sketchers gather consistent information. These lists itemize the features found in the cave and provide a mechanism for documenting attributes that arc rare or significant. The objectives for a cave inventory project should be well defined to determine the type of information and the amount of detail to be included. Most cave inventories do not require specialists in geology, biology, or other sciences, but they do require a basic understanding of the features likely to be encountered in a cave. Some inventories of a highly technical or scientific nature may require active involvement of specialists. Inventories as Tools The following examples describe how cavers, managers, and scientists use inventories as tools for project design. Cave Scicncc. Basic cave inventories are used by scientists and other researchers to locate areas tor study. Once inventory data is stored in a database, information can be accessed quickly. The use of inventory data can lessen human impact on caves. By providing a reference to recorded information, researchers may not need to enter the cave to learn about the resources. For example, a researcher interested in water sampling can use Part 2-Conservation, Management, Ethics: DuChene-Resource Inventory 21 inventory data to locate cave pools. Without a good cave inventory, the researcher would probably have to visit multiple sites to determine if any were suitable for study. I\lanagement. Cave inventories provide infonnation for making educated management decisions about cave resources. When making choices about access through cave passages, cave managers can use inventory databases to locate sensitive archaeological or biological resources (for example, historical artifacts, bat roosts, aquatic troglobites, or habitat for threatened species). Managers can use inventory data to protect important resources by The objectives for designating travel routes or surface activities that mitigate negative impact. a cave inventory project should be Restoration. Cave inventories can pinpoint infonnation on areas or well defined to passages that have been negatively impacted and need restoration. Using determine the type inventory data, managers can locate these areas quickly and can also compare the potential impacts of proposed restoration tasks to the potential of information and benefits of restoration. the amount of detail For example, restoration is proposed for an area that was muddied by to be included. traffic and then closed to visitation. Cave managers can use inventory data to help evaluate the sensitivity or fragility of the area. The data can provide information for detennining the size of restoration teams-perhaps only two or three skilled individuals should take on the task or the job may require caver groups working in multi-day shifts. Or it might be decided the damaged area should be left as it is and no restoration effort should be initiated. Databases can also be used to identify multiple restoration objectives that can be accomplished by one team to maximize productivity and minimize additional human impact. Resources for Inventory Many information sources exist that can help project managers design inventory programs. Primary sources include published literature specific to the topic or area covered by the inventory. (See Appendix 2, listings of resources and agencies for archaeological, biological, geological, and speleological information, page 515.) Information may also be gathered from local experts, libraries, colleges, universities, and from local, state, and federal government agencies. Information on scientific aspects of a specific cave or cave region may be available within the caving community. Members of the National Speleo- logical Society (NSS) have foroled special interest groups within the Society called Sections. Members of the various NSS Sections (geology/ geography, history, biology, paleontology, conservation/management and others) can provide helpful information for the design of inventory projects. Other information sources include the National Speleological Society Library, Cave Research Foundation, American Cave