Publications
Climate and Water Monitoring at Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Water Year 2024
In the third consecutive year of below-average rainfall, Carlsbad Caverns National Park's climate and water monitoring for Water Year 2024 revealed significant drought conditions, with temperatures also above normal. Notably, Oak Spring experienced a dramatic reduction in its springbrook length and complete dryness of its plunge pool, while Upper Lowe Ranch Spring remained wet year-round despite one orifice drying up during the study period. The research, conducted by the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network, assessed six springs through measurements of discharge, wetted extent, water quality, and environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to track rare species, invasive species, and pathogens. While no target eDNA species were detected, invasive plants such as Rabbitsfoot grass and Lehmann lovegrass were observed for the first time at Iron Pipe Seep and three other springs, respectively. The study continues to build a baseline reference of natural water quality variance in New Mexico's diverse spring ecosystems.
Examining Ozone Production in the Permian Oil and Gas Basin Using Carlsbad Caverns National Park Measurements and Satellite Data
A study reveals that ozone production at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is highly sensitive to nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from the Permian Basin's oil and gas (O&G) activity, with satellite data confirming a parallel increase in regional NO2 levels. Analysis of 2021 measurements showed O&G emissions as the dominant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), alongside aged biomass burning smoke. Modeling indicated that reducing NOx emissions would more effectively decrease ozone levels than targeting VOCs, though both measures could mitigate exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). Satellite observations also highlighted a decline in the formaldehyde-to-NO2 ratio, further supporting NOx-sensitive ozone production linked to O&G activity.
Geologic Map of the Carlsbad 30 x 60-Minute Quadrangle, Eddy and Otero Counties, New Mexico; and Culberson, Hudspeth, and Reeves Counties, Texas
A comprehensive geologic map of the Carlsbad 30x60-minute quadrangle, spanning parts of New Mexico and Texas, reveals the complex geological history and diverse landscapes of this region. This area, home to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, features significant Permian Basin sediments, late Cenozoic fluvial systems, and extensive eolian deposits on the Mescalero Plain. The map integrates decades of geologic data, highlighting the transition from the Guadalupe Mountains' shelf and reef sediments to the Rio Grande rift and Salt Basin. It also documents subsurface stratigraphy ranging from Permian through Cambrian-aged rocks, providing critical insights into the geological provinces that support major infrastructure for potash mining, oil, and gas extraction.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park southwestern willow flycatcher surveys and intensive point count surveys at Rattlesnake Springs, 2022 and 2023: Final report
A critical survey of the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher in Carlsbad Caverns National Park and adjacent Rattlesnake Springs Preserve yielded no detections in 2022 but recorded positive sightings in 2023, highlighting a potential recovery trend. In 2022, 165 standardized point counts using the USFWS protocol detected zero flycatchers, while intensive surveys identified 34 bird species. By contrast, 519 point counts in 2023 documented at least seven flycatchers across three survey dates, including likely pairs, alongside 61 total species. Conducted by trained Tucson Audubon staff under USFWS protocols, these surveys employed rigorous call-back and 10-minute intensive point count methods to assess biodiversity and track the flycatcher's presence in this UNESCO-listed site.
National Park Service cave paleontology: 2002-2023
A groundbreaking inventory of paleontological resources within Carlsbad Caverns National Park, part of the National Park Service (NPS), has uncovered significant Permian fossils embedded in cavern bedrock and bones of Quaternary megafauna. This study builds on a 2001 NPS report by expanding documentation across multiple parks, including notable discoveries such as mummified Pleistocene–Holocene bats in Grand Canyon NP and an American cheetah skull from Rampart Cave. The research also highlights the use of photogrammetry to study in situ specimens, addressing challenges posed by cave environments. Additionally, it reassesses Quaternary fossils, particularly avifauna, and documents extinct or locally extirpated taxa, contributing to a broader understanding of paleontological resources across NPS units.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Acoustic monitoring report, 2019
Carlsbad Caverns National Park exhibits exceptionally low ambient sound levels, with median daytime noise at 21.0 dB and nighttime noise at 20.1 dB, reflecting its quiet wilderness character. The study, conducted by the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division from late October to mid-December 2019, found that higher noise thresholds (e.g., 35 dB) were exceeded less than 4% of the day and just 0.81% at night, with even louder levels (45 dB+) rarely detected. A geospatial sound model estimated existing ambient noise at 32.3 dBA and natural conditions at 29.8 dBA, indicating localized anthropogenic impacts. The research aimed to establish a baseline for evaluating potential acoustic disruptions from overflights.
Cave Pools in Carlsbad Caverns National Park Contain Diverse Bacteriophage Communities and Novel Viral Sequences
Carlsbad Caverns National Park harbors a diverse and novel viral community, with viral-like particles (VLPs) outnumbering microorganisms by approximately 22:1 across four cave pools. This study reveals that caves may serve as significant repositories for unexplored viromes, challenging the notion that such environments are less biodiverse than aquatic systems. While viral communities in tourist-accessible pools were more similar to each other, they diverged from those in less visited areas, contrasting with bacterial community patterns linked to pool geochemistry. Viral metagenomics identified novel sequences and auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs), underscoring the potential for caves to host unique microbial interactions and metabolic potentials.
Summertime Ozone Production at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico: Influence of Oil and Natural Gas Development
A significant rise in summertime ozone (O₃) levels at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, exceeding 70 ppbv, is linked to the rapid expansion of oil and natural gas (O&G) development in southeastern New Mexico. The study reveals that O₃ production is highly responsive to reductions in both nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) and O&G-related volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with NOₓ reductions proving most effective. Using a constrained F0AM box model, researchers analyzed VOC reactivity and radical budgets, demonstrating that morning O₃ levels are primarily controlled by local photochemistry, while afternoon levels become sensitive to NOₓ loss. A high-O₃ episode was found to be influenced by aged O&G emissions, as indicated by back-trajectory analysis and low i-/n-pentane ratios, suggesting significant nonlocal O₃ formation.
Observations of ozone, acyl peroxy nitrates, and their precursors during summer 2019 at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
A study at Carlsbad Caverns National Park reveals that ozone (O₃) formation is primarily driven by nitrogen oxides (NOₓ)-sensitive photochemistry, with significant contributions from oil and natural gas (O&G) emissions. During the summer of 2019, elevated O₃ levels exceeding the U.S. air quality standard were observed when winds came from the Permian Basin, a major O&G production region. The research identified that high O₃ days coincided with increased acyl peroxy nitrates, particularly peroxypropionyl nitrate (PPN), indicating dominant influence from anthropogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), often alkanes. Positive matrix factorization analysis attributed VOC and NOₓ contributions to primary emissions and secondary photochemical processing. The findings suggest that simultaneous reductions in NOₓ and non-methane VOC emissions from the O&G sector are necessary to effectively lower O₃ levels, with added benefits for reducing other secondary pollutants.
Source characterization of volatile organic compounds at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
A study identifies oil and gas (O&G) production activities as the major contributors to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, exceeding ground-level ozone limits. Using positive matrix factorization analysis of speciated VOCs during the 2019 Carlsbad Caverns Air Quality Study (CarCavAQS), researchers attributed three factors to O&G operations, with associated residence time analyses indicating increased contributions during transport from the Permian Basin. These O&G-related VOCs accounted for 62% of VOC reactivity with hydroxyl radicals, enhancing local ozone formation. Additionally, photochemically generated secondary VOCs suggested long-range transport of ozone from upwind shale formations like Eagle Ford and Barnett. The findings underscore the critical role of O&G emissions in regional air quality and emphasize the need for targeted emission reductions to mitigate elevated ozone levels.
PM2.5 in Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Composition, sources, and visibility impacts
Aerosol composition and sources in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, influenced by oil and gas development, wildfires, urban emissions, and soil dust, significantly impact visibility. The study found that sulfate, soil dust (often reacted with nitric acid), and black carbon are major contributors to light extinction, with the worst visibility periods occurring during transport from the southeast, a region dense with Permian Basin oil and gas development. High-time resolution measurements revealed PM2.5 concentrations up to 31.8 µg/m³, with sulfate and soil dust being primary factors in modeled light extinction. Residence time analysis indicated enrichment of sulfate, black carbon, and methane during transport from the southeast, highlighting the regional influence on air quality.
U.S. National Park visitor perceptions and behavioral intentions towards actions to prevent white-nose syndrome
Visitors to U.S. National Parks overwhelmingly support preventive actions against white-nose syndrome (WNS), with willingness rates ranging from 77.7% to 96.7%. These actions include participating in educational programs, wearing protective clothing or shoes, walking over decontamination mats, and complying with cave closures. The study, conducted across eight national park units during summer 2019, found that visitors' attitudes and subjective norms—particularly influenced by park staff and signage—were strong predictors of their behavioral intentions. While perceived behavioral control did not directly predict intent, it moderated the influence of attitudes and subjective norms on intention to comply with preventive measures. This insight is crucial for implementing publicly supported conservation strategies to mitigate WNS spread and protect bat populations.
Diversity of siderophore-producing bacterial cultures from Carlsbad Caverns National Park caves, Carlsbad, New Mexico
Researchers discovered that cave bacteria from Carlsbad Caverns National Park produce siderophores, microbially-produced ferric iron chelators, to survive in nutrient-limited environments. The study identified 64% of bacterial cultures as siderophore producers, with the majority producing hydroxamate-type siderophores. These findings support the hypothesis that siderophores are a critical mechanism for cave bacteria to obtain essential ferric iron. The study used long-term (10–11 years) and short-term (1–3 days) parent cultures inoculated with ferromanganese deposits and carbonate secondary minerals from Lechuguilla and Spider caves, classifying producers using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Siderophore production was more prevalent in short-term cultures, which also showed a higher proportion of strong producers compared to long-term cultures.
Hypogenic karst of the Great Basin
A groundbreaking discovery in the 1980s revealed that hypogenic karst processes, driven by ascending groundwater rich in carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, play a significant role in cave formation at depth. This study identifies sulfidic groundwater as a key agent in dissolving carbonate bedrock, leading to the creation of spectacular caves through sulfuric acid speleogenesis. While many Great Basin caves formed under hypogenic conditions before the current topography developed, evidence of this process is often obscured by later meteoric infiltration and calcite speleothems. By analyzing speleogenetic features such as folia, mammillaries, and metatyuyamunite, researchers can infer the earlier hypogenic stage. Lehman Caves in Great Basin National Park provides a unique example where a low-permeability capstone preserved early speleogenetic features, offering valuable insights into these processes.
Lighting Effects on the Development and Diversity of Photosynthetic Biofilm Communities in Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico
Research on Carlsbad Cavern reveals that while reducing the color temperature of artificial lighting may mitigate the growth of photosynthetic biofilm communities—commonly known as 'lampenflora'—additional interventions such as chemical or UV treatments are likely necessary for effective management. The study employed DNA amplicon sequencing to characterize these microbial communities and assessed factors like light intensity, wavelength, surface texture, and time on their development. Findings indicate a diverse mix of algae, cyanobacteria, and heterotrophic bacteria, suggesting that current lighting adjustments alone may not suffice in preserving cave aesthetics and speleothems.
The Coryphantha sneedii Complex is Indeed Complex and Continuously Intergrades with Coryphantha vivipara
A comprehensive study challenges the distinctiveness of the Coryphantha sneedii complex, revealing it as a morphologically fluid assemblage that continuously intergrades with Coryphantha vivipara. The research identifies significant phenotypic overlap among nine proposed varieties (orcuttii, organensis, sandbergii, villardii, albicolumnaria, leei, guadalupensis, sneedii) and questions their taxonomic validity due to potential phenotypic plasticity. It also disputes the geographic range of these varieties, particularly in relation to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Big Bend National Park, and Bishop's Cap. The study proposes subsuming the entire complex under C. vivipara, supported by shared characteristics such as lenticular druses (0.5–1.0 mm diameter) and green fruits/pericarpels, despite occasional indistinguishability between the two species in sympatric distributions.
A Bryophyte Inventory of Carlsbad Caverns National Park
A bryophyte inventory of Carlsbad Caverns National Park identified 41 species, including 38 mosses and three liverworts, with no hornworts detected. Notably, Riccia atromarginata was documented for the first time in New Mexico, and previously unpublished photographs of Mannia paradoxa, collected in 1982, were shared. Contrary to initial assumptions, seasonally flooded arroyos and north-facing limestone cliffs exhibited higher bryophyte diversity than the park's natural springs, highlighting the importance of these habitats despite water scarcity. The study provides a comprehensive baseline for bryophyte biodiversity in this unique karst landscape.
Gulf Coast to Rio Grande Rift
A comprehensive geological tour from Austin, Texas, to Las Cruces, New Mexico, reveals the dynamic tectonic and sedimentary history of the Gulf Coast to Rio Grande Rift region. The study traverses key geological features, including the Balcones Fault, Marathon Fold-thrust Belt, and the Basin-and-Range Province, highlighting their significance in understanding regional geology and resource distribution. It examines oil and gas resources in the Gulf Coast Basin and Permian/Delaware Basin while analyzing the structural evolution of uplifts and basins along the route. The research integrates field observations with historical context, providing insights into the geological processes shaping this diverse landscape, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park's unique karst formations.
Roving with a Digital Visual Library: Increased Learning Opportunities at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
A pilot program integrating digital visualizations into visitor interpretation at Carlsbad Caverns National Park demonstrated significant potential to enhance science literacy and engagement. Rangers reported that tablet-based presentations of research on Brazilian free-tailed bats improved their ability to achieve interpretive goals, particularly in strategic locations like the cave entrance. Visitors responded positively, though challenges remained, suggesting this blended approach warrants further exploration for broader application in science communication at UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Transport of Nonindigenous Microorganisms Into Caves by Human Visitation: A Case Study at Carlsbad Caverns National Park
A study at Carlsbad Caverns National Park revealed that human visitation significantly impacts the microbial composition of cave environments, introducing nonindigenous microorganisms. Research conducted in 2004 and 2009 demonstrated that Staphylococcus spp., Knoellia spp., Penicillium, Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria, and Enterobacteriaceae were prevalent in areas frequented by visitors or associated with food storage and consumption. Notably, Enterobacteriaceae dominance was observed along the descent trail and within the Lunch Room, suggesting either natural occurrence or anthropogenic contamination. The study highlights the potential for management practices, such as restricting crumb-generating foods, to mitigate microbial contamination and protect cave ecosystems.
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