Introduction

(A definition of karst?? - is this required?)

By their very nature karst landforms are difficult to manage. Each karst is different and therefore requires different management. Karst landforms have a number of basic components {water, gas, soil, mineral (rock), voids and chemicals} that are intricately linked and mobile.

This intricacy makes all of the components of karst vulnerable to negative impacts on any single component. Therefore it is vital that a holistic approach is taken to karst management.

Maintenance of the major natural processes that occur in a karst system are the basis for ensuring that caves and karst features remain in a pristine state.

The major natural processes are hydrological, meteorological and chemical. If these can be maintained as close to there natural condition as possible then impacts on the caves and karst will be minimised.

As the Karst Manager you will make many decisions that will impact caves and the karst as a whole. It is imperative to ensure that any decision you make, considers potential impacts on the entire karst system as your number one priority.

The Code

1. When placing infrastructure such as buildings, car parks, roads, toilets or performing clearing operations on karst careful investigation should be undertaken to ensure that these actions will not adversely impact caves that may lie beneath them. Depending on the "connectedness" (any better suggestions to this single word?) of the surface to rock to the cave then the potential impacts on cave/karst may be high.
2. When gating a cave entrance care should be taken to minimise the impact of the gate on the cave's meteorology. Ensure that entrances that were open prior to development continue to allow a similar air flow and those entrances that have been opened to allow development are gated to minimise/stop the air flow.
3. When placing a cave gate or other infrastructure at a cave entrance care should be taken to ensure that minimal restrictions are placed on the natural water flow or the entry of organic material into the cave entrance as a result of the gate or infrastructure. If the cave contains a bat colony or has transient bat occupation then bat-friendly gates designed for the species of bat that inhabit/visit the cave should be used.
4. When placing infrastructure in a cave stream ensure that the materials used will not deteriorate and adversely impact the cave or the cave's fauna. Recycled plastic is a good material to consider in these conditions.
   (Note on Point 4. Have had comments for and against the recycled plastic so will obtain more information and advise on the possible harmful effects of plastics (specifically recycled plastic as it is thought to release less/no chemicals compared with "normal" plastics) in the cave environment.)
5. Ensure that cave streams are not diverted or dammed thereby modifying their natural flow paths or rates.
6. Ensure that caves used for recreational, commercial self-guided trips or speleological work, are Track/Route marked where little or no infrastructure exists.
7. In commercial tourist caves ensure that regular work trips assess and remove litter, lint build-ups and lampenflora.
8. When placing infrastructure in a cave ensure that it does not adversely, directly or indirectly, impact cave formations or cave fauna.
9. Stream catchments requires careful management to ensure that water is not diverted, polluted or captured instead of entering the karst. Working with other management agencies is generally required to ensure that catchments are maintained in as pristine condition as possible.
10. The training of cave leaders to ensure appropriate group management and minimal impact caving skills are imparted to all leaders is imperative if the impacts of cavers are to be minimised. Cave managers should ensure that such training courses are available and appropriate quality assurance testing is in place before leaders are provided with access to karst resources.
    (Note on Point 10. Had comments here about adhering to the codes and guidelines of the ASF (available at www.caves.org.au). However wanted to leave this more open and not specify one set of codes over another e.g. Australia vs New Zealand. Each area/region/country should apply whatever codes/guidelines they consider appropriate. Anyone with further comment/suggestion please advise.)
11. Prior to workers undertaking work in a cave environment they should be briefed on actions that are not acceptable such as leaving small quantities of construction material in the cave. Workers who are not used to the cave environment should be supervised while their work is undertaken with appropriate training being given during the work.
12. The use of any hazardous material such as detergent, algaecides, herbicides, hypochlorites; hydrocarbons such as petrol, kerosene etc, acids or bases should be done with extreme care using staff suitably trained in their use.
    (Notes on Points 11 and 12. Suggestions here regarding emphasis on neatness and tidiness as well as possible use of Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines. Here also tried to use generic terms such as "suitably trained" to avoid any specific set of guidelines/laws. Anyone with further comment/suggestion please advise.)
13. The microbiology of caves does not receive significant consideration. Obtaining advice regarding the impacts of infrastructure on a caves microbiology during the planning phase may reduce impacts on cave fauna as well as existing cave microbes.