World Heritage Site:
Škocjan Caves
Publication Year:
2014
Publication Type:
Book chapter
Publication Identifier:
WHEB6F0359E19
Summary
Mass cave tourism significantly impacts the delicate microbial ecosystems of UNESCO-listed Škocjan Caves, fostering biodeterioration and threatening natural heritage. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation strategies to mitigate these effects while preserving the region's rich biodiversity. It synthesizes current knowledge on autochthonous and allochthonous microbial communities in Dinaric Karst, emphasizing their role in ecosystem functions and heritage deterioration. Proposed guidelines aim to balance tourism with preservation efforts, offering a framework for safeguarding subterranean cultural and natural sites.
Citation
Mulec, J. (2014). Lampenflora as an accompaniment of mass cave tourism, problems and solutions for Postojnska jama, Slovenia. The Conservation of Subterranean Cultural Heritage, 253–256. https://doi.org/10.1201/b17570-31