Caves: The cave and karst resource of New Zealand

Abstract

PART I of this dissertation presents a brief description of the historic background of human use of caves and cave exploration, both generally and specific to New Zealand. Recent discoveries are also touched upon, and the future briefly discussed.

The nature of caving as a form of recreation is dealt with: motives and aspirations, sociological and demographic details, organization and structure, and techniques and equipment of the participants is described and discussed. Caving accidents, and cave search and rescue are briefly described.

PART II describes the physical and biological characteristics of the cave and karst resource in detail; New Zealand cave localities are identified; comprehensive descriptions of karst geomorphology, hydrology; origin, development and decay of caves, speleothems (cave decorations), cave minerals; meteorology, air temperature, humidity, and air movements in caves; biospeleology (study of cave biota), and ecology are included. Cave palaeontology and archaeology are briefly discussed.

PART III discusses the conservation and preservation of the cave and karst resource and describes some of man's impact upon it.

Some known caves and karst areas worthy of protection are listed and briefly described. The need for a national survey of the cave and karst resource is discussed and proposed. This is followed by an ecological approach to the management of caves; some problems and possible answers are briefly discussed; and an Australian system of cave classification is discussed and presented as a basis for future cave management in New Zealand. Interpretative concepts and ideas are suggested. The dissertation is closed with a number of conclusions and recommendations. A glossary, an appendices and an extensive bibliography are included.