Post by L Roebuck on Apr 2, 2007 9:27:42 GMT -5
Drying SW threatens caves, rare creatures
Experts fear caves in the South-West corner of WA could be dry within years, providing an alarming insight into the impact of the State’s drying climate and threatening the extinction of species dating back to the age of the dinosaur.
Water levels have been dropping in caves on the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge around Margaret River since the 1970s when rainfall started to dip. But in the past six years the rate of decline in both rainfall and the watertable has been dramatic.
Caves that 30 years ago explorers could reach only by swimming under water now have water less than ankle deep. Others that had strong-moving streams all year are bone dry.
The depth of the lake in Lake Cave, one of the three major tourist caves, is falling 2mm a week.
There is no trace left of the spectacular lake that once greeted visitors to the iconic Jewel Cave, farther south, with water levels there falling 2.5m since 1958.
Full Article
Experts fear caves in the South-West corner of WA could be dry within years, providing an alarming insight into the impact of the State’s drying climate and threatening the extinction of species dating back to the age of the dinosaur.
Water levels have been dropping in caves on the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge around Margaret River since the 1970s when rainfall started to dip. But in the past six years the rate of decline in both rainfall and the watertable has been dramatic.
Caves that 30 years ago explorers could reach only by swimming under water now have water less than ankle deep. Others that had strong-moving streams all year are bone dry.
The depth of the lake in Lake Cave, one of the three major tourist caves, is falling 2mm a week.
There is no trace left of the spectacular lake that once greeted visitors to the iconic Jewel Cave, farther south, with water levels there falling 2.5m since 1958.
Full Article