Limestone Caves
7a. Management: catchments

Why Protect Cave Ecosystems?

• Biodiversity Value: Caves contain species of animals which are rare and occur nowhere else.
• Intrinsic Value: People value the spectacular formations found in caves.
• Utility Value: Tourism is an important industry.
• Heritage Value: Limestone caves are a part of our natural heritage. We only have a small number of caves.

Legislation
Limestone caves are uncommon in Australia and government has protected many through legislation such as the NPWS Act. The Yarrangobilly Caves are in Kosciuszko National Park. Government legislation states that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is responsible for protecting the caves but at the same time allow use that does not conflict with the preservation of the caves. To achieve this goal the NPWS are required to have a management plan which outlines their management strategies. Two main areas need to be considered, management of the individual caves and management of the whole catchment above the caves.

Catchment Management
Catchments and caves are linked by the flow of water, surface water will flow or percolate underground and any pollutants or eroded soil transported by surface streams may be carried into caves. Human changes to the cave catchment which impact on the water cycle will impact on the caves. This includes the clearing of vegetation, diversion of streams for irrigation, the building of roads which change the flow of water with roadside drainage channels, pollutants from vehicles using roads or fertilizers and herbicides from agricultural activities which can endanger cave ecosystems.

Catchment Management Practices in the Yarrangobilly area include:

• not allowing camping near the caves;
• retaining the existing buildings and infrastructure of car parks, picnic areas and toilets due to their historic and recreational value;
• working towards minimising the impact of infrastructure, roads and buildings on the caves;
• replacement of the pine plantation with the original eucalypt woodland