What is a cave ecosystem?

Cave ecosystems are characterized by a lack of light and, as a result, dependence on

connectivity to the surface or internal microbial production for energy supply. Caves are
actually part of a larger karst ecosystem that is the entire drainage basin through which
moves water, energy, and matter.

Caves have a variety of definitions. From the explorer's point of view, they are openings in the
Earth large enough for human exploration. From the biologist's point of view, they are openings
that will accommodate cave-adapted organisms. From a hydrologist's point of view, caves are
fragments of the conduits that transmit water through karst aquifers. Caves form by a variety of
independent processes including tectonic movements of the bedrock, differential erosion, and
bedrock dissolution by several different processes. Caves also form by the draining of flowing
lava and by the melting and draining of glacial ice.
What plants are in caves?
*Mosses
*Ferns
*Liverworts
At the entrance to the cave or in the twilight zone, there might be mosses, ferns, and/or
liverworts growing on the ground. The cave entrance's warm, moist atmosphere
supports the growth of mosses, ferns, and liverworts.

Animals in the Cave

All cave animals and organisms fit into three categories. Placement into these
categories depends on how much time the organisms actually spend in the cave.

The first type is known as Trogloxenes. You can think of trogloxenes as cave vistors.
Trogloxenes or subtroglophiles, also called cave guests, are animal species which
periodically live in underground habitats such as caves or at the very entrance, but
cannot live exclusively in such habitats . Examples of animals that are trogloxenes
are:

-Bats

-Bears

-Skunks

-Raccoon

-Moths (sometimes)
Troglophiles are the next level. are creatures that can live outside the cave but
might prefer to do so. They only emerge from the cave in quest of food. Some
examples of trogphiles are:

-Beetles

-Worms

-Frogs

-Salamanders

-Crickets

-Spiders

-Crayfish (sometimes)

Troglobites are microscopic organisms that have evolved to live permanently in

caves. They are incapable of surviving in the environment on the surface as they
are so habituated to living in caves.

 gastropods, fish, millipedes, and salamanders. Turbellarians,

pseudoscorpions, harvestmen, isopods, amphipods, decapods,
collembolans, and diplurans are also represented in Earth's troglobite
collection

Habitat and Niche

In the Twilight Zone, a cave would be a bat's natural habitat. The area of the cave
known as the twilight zone is where some sunlight can be seen. The bats aren't
too far back in the cave, which would make it easier for them to exit during the
night to hunt their prey, but they are also not too close that they can't sleep
during the day due to sunlight.

Types of Caves
Solution Caves: These types of caves. created by slowly moving groundwater in
carbonate and sulfate rocks (such as limestone, dolomite, marble, etc.). Along bedding
planes and joints, this causes the rock to disintegrate and create caves, irregular
channels, and even tunnels. This kind of cave makes up the majority and the largest on the
earth.

Lava Caves: These lava tubes or tunnels are created when a lava flow's outer surface
cools and solidifies. Molten lava is still flowing through in the process, finally draining
into the freshly formed tube or "cave."

Glacier Caves: These types of caves form from meltwater which creates drainage tunnels
through the ice.

Ice Caves: Different from glacier caves, ice caves are usually either solution caves or
lava caves in which ice forms within them and persists through all or most of the year.

Sea Caves: These types of caves are formed by the constant action of waves smashing
against portions of weaker rocks lining the shores of the ocean or large lakes. These
caves are struck by enormous amounts of pressure by the waves and also by the sand and
gravel carried with them.

Desert Caves: Some desert caves can develop as a result of fine sand being blasted
against a rock face. These caves can grow to enormous sizes.
Wind or eolian Caves: These types of caves are not named for the mode of origin of the
cave, but for the strong air currents going in and out of them because of the atmospheric
changes. Most wind caves are solution caves.

Talus caves: are caves built on the summit of a mountain or hill amid boulders
that have organically fallen into a randomized heap. These caves are typically
rather small. The boulders associated with the talus caves are often the cause of
landslides and rockfalls due to their unstable nature.

How many caves are there in the Philippines?

More than 3,000 caves have been recorded in the Philippines with still a significant
number of caves yet to be discovered, assessed, surveyed, and classified.
Here are some cave places in the Philippines

1. Palawan Underground River

Palawan Underground River, also called St. Paul Underground River, is the
Philippine’s most famous cave. It is located in the island of Palawan. The
subterranean river has a length of 15,000 meters or 5 miles.

This underground river is the longest navigable subterrnean river in the world. It is also
the 3rd deepest cave in the Philippines. Actually, this river is included in the new list of
7 wonders of nature.

This beautiful river is one of the central tourist attractions in this country because
of the breathtaking views inside. This is surely a relaxing destination for all adventure
seekers and spelunkers. How nature carved the 8.2-kilometer underground river
system, with its stunning rock formations.

Much more with the mention of animals suppose to not be found in caves were
discovered in the Palawan Underground River. And, the finding of unique marine life
and exceptional biodiversity of various organisms within the cave.

2. Lobo Cave

 Lobo Cave is home to stalactites, stalagmites, and rock formations that have been
shaped by the water that has flowed through the system for ages. Additionally, it features
tunnels that act as sanctuaries for various creatures and insects.

The cave was technically explored and surveyed by a team led by Italians last
2006 and since then the cave was included in the array of attractions in the
province of Samar.

3. Enchanted Cave

Enchanted Cave is a natural cave formation that harbors a unique

underground pool filled with turquoise water. It is located inside a
privately owned resort along the coast of Bolinao. The Enchanted Cave
is said to be a huge coral reef that emerged underwater as a result of
evolution. It is believed that millions of years ago, the town of Bolinao was
once a part of the sea due to the discovery of coral limestone rocks and fossil
clams around the area. 
Within this karst, ecosystems lie a diversity of habitats and organisms that can
differ substantially, yet are highly interconnected and interdependent. While often
thought of as stable, karst ecosystems are highly dynamic and subject to natural
and human-imposed disturbance. Therefore, the cave ecosystem is based on
nutrients entering the cave via water and outside organisms venturing into the
cave and depositing guano, eggs, debris, or their carcasses. These nutrients
are in turn used by the organisms that spend their entire life cycles in the cave
environment.

Many activities have the potential to affect subterranean caves and their
inhabitants. Inadequate sewage treatment rapidly leads to pollution of
the groundwater, directly threatening aquatic fauna, but ultimately
affecting all cave fauna. Deforestation can affect water flow patterns so
that in general there will be less buffering and flooding will increase in
frequency. Alteration of cave entrances, such as the removal of
vegetation or physical changes in the rock structure, will change airflow
patterns, oxygen concentrations, temperature, humidity, and light
regimes. Cave species tend to be very sensitive to the smallest micro
environmental changes, with a result that them being unable to adapt to
changes and go extinct or, if possible, abandon the cave.

 Soil-dwelling cave inhabitants may be trampled to extinction or

compaction of soil will reduce aeration and ability of organisms to
penetrate the substrate
 Disturbance of water pools increases turbidity and particle
suspension and disturbance to wildlife.
 Quasi-permanent lighting will stimulate the growth of algae, moss,
ferns and other terrestrial fauna

A unique, irreversible, and irreplaceable refuge for the species that live in caves, they are
among the world's most delicate ecosystems. A significant water reserve is found in caves. For
instance, in karst environments, runoff water enters cave networks where it frequently runs as
underground rivers until finally emerging as springs. For countless years, various societies have
used caverns as their homes, places of worship, and even as cemeteries. Contrary to other
ecosystems, caves have nearly constant humidity and temperature, allowing them to retain
some of the most delicate cultural and archaeological artifacts for a number of millennia. Many
of the caverns date back countless years. The strain on land from modern development and
other human activities like quarrying, pollution, and even vandalism pose the biggest risk to
such cave ecosystems. Such actions endanger both the subsurface and surface caves.

What is the importance of a cave?

Caves are important natural resources because of their unique beauty, their
history, and their role in a healthy environment. They play key roles in
groundwater movement, and serve as habitats for threatened and endangered
animal species.