Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Caves of Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• LiDAR-Based Morphometry of Dolines in Aggtelek Karst (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia)

  LiDAR-based morphometry reveals that doline density in the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst UNESCO World Heritage Sites is 25% higher when derived from high-resolution digital terrain models (DTMs) compared to traditional topographic maps. This study introduces a new parameter, k, which characterizes the 3D shape of dolines, indicating whether they resemble cylinders, bowls (calottes), cones, or funnels. Most dolines in the region exhibit transitional shapes between bowl and cone forms. The research also highlights that doline density is negligible on slopes steeper than 12° and that 75% of dolines are associated with Wetterstein Limestone. Additionally, the lognormal distribution effectively models the size distribution of doline areas.

  Telbisz, T., Mari, L., & Székely, B. (2024). LiDAR-Based Morphometry of Dolines in Aggtelek Karst (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia). Remote Sensing, 16(5), 737. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16050737

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• Attitudes and perceptions of local residents and tourists – a comparative study of the twin national parks of Aggtelek (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia)

  A comparative study of the twin national parks, Aggtelek (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia), reveals that while both local residents and tourists generally hold positive views toward these UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a notable minority of locals express dissatisfaction, likely due to perceived limited influence over park decisions. The research highlights that forests are the most visited natural resource by locals, whereas caves are the primary attraction for tourists. Despite minimal conflict between locals and tourists, both groups support increased tourism. Additionally, the study identifies a small but significant segment of visitors who consider themselves geotourists, though geotourism is not widely recognized among locals or park management. The research also notes that cave tourism in Hungary is largely driven by school education, while the term 'karst' is less familiar to visitors, particularly on the Hungarian side. The study employed a questionnaire survey to gather data on attitudes and perceptions.

  Telbisz, T., Mari, L., Gessert, A., Nestorová Dická, J., & Gruber, P. (2022). Attitudes and perceptions of local residents and tourists – a comparative study of the twin national parks of Aggtelek (Hungary) and Slovak Karst (Slovakia). Acta Carsologica, 51(1), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.3986/ac.v51i1.10683

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• Social assessment of national parks through the example of the Aggtelek National Park

  Local communities near the Aggtelek National Park and Slovak Karst National Park perceive national parks as economic barriers, limiting their ability to diversify local economies. While national parks aim to protect geological and biological values while promoting tourism, interviews with settlement leaders revealed conflicts arising from restrictions on economic activities imposed by these protected areas. Many locals view national park authorities negatively, questioning the necessity of nature conservation—a sentiment linked to past socialist regimes. The study highlights a need for shifting attitudes toward more positive engagement with conservation efforts in karst regions.

  Kőszegi, M., Gessert, A., Nestorová-Dická, J., Gruber, P., & Bottlik, Z. (2022). Social assessment of national parks through the example of the Aggtelek National Park. Hungarian Geographical Bulletin, 71(2), 149–162. https://doi.org/10.15201/hungeobull.71.2.4

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• Redescription of two troglobiotic species of Deuteraphorura Absolon, 1901
  (Collembola, Onychiuridae) from the Western Carpathians

  A detailed redescription of two troglobiotic species, Deuteraphorura kratochvili and D. schoenviszkyi, from the Western Carpathian caves reveals their unique morphological traits, including the absence of pseudocelli on thoracic tergum I and the presence of a male ventral organ on abdominal terga II–III. Both species are obligate cave-dwelling forms (troglobionts), restricted to subterranean environments. The study examines intraspecific variability in D. kratochvili from its type locality, Demänovská Cave System, while D. schoenviszkyi is redescribed based on specimens from both Slovak and Aggtelek Karst, where the type locality is situated. An identification key for Deuteraphorura species lacking pseudocelli on thoracic segment I is also provided, aiding in their taxonomic differentiation.

  PARIMUCHOVÁ, A., & KOVÁČ, Ľ. (2016). Redescription of two troglobiotic species of Deuteraphorura Absolon, 1901
  (Collembola, Onychiuridae) from the Western Carpathians. Zootaxa, 4168(2). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4168.2.6

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• Distributional patterns of cave Collembola (Hexapoda) in association with habitat conditions, geography and subterranean refugia in the Western Carpathians

  A study of 28 caves in the Western Carpathians, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst, reveals that southern and central karst regions serve as critical glacial refugia for subterranean fauna. The research identified 90 Collembola species, with 13 troglobiotic (obligate cave-dwelling) species concentrated in the southern and southeastern parts of the region. Species diversity correlated positively with internal air temperature but negatively with elevation and latitude, indicating environmental and geographic influences on distribution. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS), cluster, and indicator value analyses further demonstrated distinct geographic patterns in Collembola communities, with northern areas showing lower diversity and no troglobiotic taxa.

  Kováč, Ľ., Parimuchová, A., & Miklisová, D. (2015). Distributional patterns of cave Collembola (Hexapoda) in association with habitat conditions, geography and subterranean refugia in the Western Carpathians. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 119(3), 571–592. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/bij.12555

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• Semi-automated recognition of planation surfacesand other flat landforms: a case study from theAggtelek Karst, Hungary

  Researchers identified the r.geomorphon module as the most effective method for semi-automated recognition of planation surfaces and other flat landforms in the Aggtelek Karst, Hungary. These surfaces serve as morphological indicators of different evolutionary stages, correlating with cave levels formed under stagnant erosion base conditions. The study tested multiple methods, including slope gradient thresholding and r.param.scale modules, but found that r.geomorphon best delineated relatively flat surfaces corresponding to phases of the Jósva River incision. This approach offers a new tool for reconstructing the comprehensive evolution of karst landscapes, with implications for understanding similar geological formations in UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Aggtelek Karst and Slovak Karst.

  Veselský, M., Bandura, P., Burian, L., Harciníková, T., & Bella, P. (2015). Semi-automated recognition of planation surfacesand other flat landforms: a case study from theAggtelek Karst, Hungary. Open Geosciences, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1515/geo-2015-0063

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