Post by L Roebuck on May 22, 2008 7:32:36 GMT -5
The Importance of Karst Ecosystems
by Mike Slay, Director, Ozark Karst Program
A toast to the underground world! -- Mayor Dani Joy welcomes participants to The Nature Conservancy's International Karst Conservation Workshop held at the Crescent Hotel. Through Friday, Conservancy staff, partners and experts from six U.S. states, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and China are gathering in Eureka Springs to develop conservation plans for several significant karst areas world-wide. For more information about the karst environment visit www.lovelycitizen.com. (Photo by Francie Smith)
Karst ecosystems are significant global land types, covering approximately 12% of Earth's land surface. These landscapes develop on carbonate sedimentary rocks where infiltrating fresh waters dissolve and enlarge pre-existing fractures in bedrock. Often they contain caves, sinkholes, sinking streams, and springs, and may contain landforms such as precipitous limestone towers (e.g. tower karsts of China) or alternating cone-shaped depressions and rises (e.g. cockpit karsts of Jamaica). In the U.S., karst occurs in 48 of 50 states, covering 20% of the country. In other countries, this percentage can be higher.
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by Mike Slay, Director, Ozark Karst Program
A toast to the underground world! -- Mayor Dani Joy welcomes participants to The Nature Conservancy's International Karst Conservation Workshop held at the Crescent Hotel. Through Friday, Conservancy staff, partners and experts from six U.S. states, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and China are gathering in Eureka Springs to develop conservation plans for several significant karst areas world-wide. For more information about the karst environment visit www.lovelycitizen.com. (Photo by Francie Smith)
Karst ecosystems are significant global land types, covering approximately 12% of Earth's land surface. These landscapes develop on carbonate sedimentary rocks where infiltrating fresh waters dissolve and enlarge pre-existing fractures in bedrock. Often they contain caves, sinkholes, sinking streams, and springs, and may contain landforms such as precipitous limestone towers (e.g. tower karsts of China) or alternating cone-shaped depressions and rises (e.g. cockpit karsts of Jamaica). In the U.S., karst occurs in 48 of 50 states, covering 20% of the country. In other countries, this percentage can be higher.
Full Article