Filling a Critical Gap in Global Conservation
Why karst protection is needed
Karst landscapes cover about 20% of the world's ice-free land (Goldscheider et al., 2020) and are the vital natural infrastructure that supplies drinking water to nearly 10% of the global population (Stevanovic, 2018) —some 800 million people.
Although some caves and karst systems are currently recognized as international protected areas, they represent only a small fraction globally. In fact, only 6.9% of subterranean ecosystems are currently protected under existing frameworks (Sánchez-Fernández et. al., 2021) — including the World Heritage Program WHP, UNESCO Global Geoparks Network, CaveMAB Network and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
Broader international efforts must foster a "karst-aware" approach to recognize its profound importance, address its unique vulnerabilities, and integrate its protection into global biodiversity and climate frameworks.
Key components of a karst
Karst areas are comprised of surface and subsurface landscapes, including sinkholes, caves, and aquifers, which are fragile and vulnerable to human activities.
Karst is formed by water. The catchment areas can be very large. To protect karst it is necesssary to include the catchment areas in the management and protection.
Destroyed karst areas are irreversible, resulting in the permanent loss of their geoecosystems and cultural, scientific, and recreational values.
The health of subterranean geoecosystems is better served when protected from contaminants and surface activities through effective karst-aware management practices.
Limestone quarry Germany. Photo: Stefan Meyer
Effective karst-aware management practices include:
Inclusive governance;
Strengthening and training of children and youth, indigenous and local communities in the management of karst geoecosystems;
Reduction of the dependence on karst water while at the same time, protecting existing water supplies;
Reversing the loss of biodiversity and,
Protecting landscapes and landforms that are of aesthetic, cultural, economic and scientific value.
Geological excursion in Germany. Photo: Bärbel Vogel
