Reconstructing cave past to manage and conserve cave present and future

Whilst restoration and recovery of ecosystems has become a major priority, developing a baseline of what biodiversity was like prior to disturbance, and what might have driven changes in wildlife populations often remains unknown in many systems. Challenging to access ecosystems, such as subterranean ecosystems which cannot be monitored by remote sensing and frequently have very little information provide a significant chal-lenge to understanding how biodiversity patterns may have changed, and how they might be more effectively managed. Caves represent unique ecosystems, key sites for our own human history, but with their unique conditions and stability can provide insights into their own past use as well as an index of local climate and vegetation. In addition, caves host many of the worlds over 1400 bat species, meaning that the ability to reconstruct past population trajectories may facilitate their conservation, as well as that of the many other, often undescribed cave dependant species. Here we discuss the various types of data from biological, chemical, geological and social that can be used to reconstruct the past history of cave sites across various timescales. We discuss the considerations needed for each approach as well as providing examples to guide the application of such approaches to better understand cave systems and their varying uses over time, and highlight how such data may facilitate cave management.

Automated summary

Despite the prioritization of ecosystem restoration and recovery, understanding the baseline biodiversity and drivers of changes in wildlife populations prior to disturbance remains unknown in many systems. Inaccessible ecosystems, such as subterranean ecosystems, present significant challenges to understanding how biodiversity patterns may have changed. Caves, with their unique conditions and bat populations, can provide insights into past populations and facilitate their conservation. This article discusses various types of data that can be used to reconstruct the history of cave sites and their varying uses over time, offering guidance for cave management.