Human degradation/impactAs a majority of karst landforms are caves (if not rocks), these degradations are mostly focused towards them.
Construction throughout caves and other karst land formations can actually affect and alter the natural processes and habitation. This includes the widening of cave entrances, and inserting elevator shafts. Gates can affect caves too! Bats can lose their habitat and abandon caves! In fact, the available habitat for bats has been reduced and 50% of bat species are on the decline in the U.S.A alone! This has affected not only animal movement but airflow as well! Put simply, inappropriate construction within karst environments can lead to several problems including the loss of airflow and animal habitat. Another cause of degradation is excessive contamination. Many karst landforms, such as caves,rely on water to help shape and form them through weathering. Waterways can be polluted and contaminated from waste and be altered - for agricultural purposes. This can alter the natural process of formation for karst features. Not to mention, the loss and destruction of resources. This means the vandalism and defacing of karst landforms. This actually happens! In fact, this can include the bringing of oils, dust or lint into a karst environment or feature - this can alter some of the life in the cave, it's not very good for the animals that live there! |