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Carroll Cave Conservancy
Biology Project
Manifesto
Last edited 6 October
2003 by Lawrence Ireland
The purpose of this document is to outline the
policies and purposes of the Biology Project of the Carroll Cave Conservancy
(CCC). This proposal may be altered in the future with the approval of the
CCC's Board of Directors.
The Biology Project, its manager and participants,
shall:
1)
Adhere to the written policies of the CCC and the decisions made by
its Board of Directors.
2)
Report their findings openly and objectively.
a)
All biology trip reports, and the biological data therein, shall be
made public (e.g. via the CCC website, www.carrollcave.org).
b)
All biological data shall be contributed to the Cave Life Database,
maintained by William R. Elliott, Ph.D.
c)
Professional expertise, from within and outside the CCC, should be
sought for the purposes of analyzing and interpreting biological data, and
for scientific credibility.
d)
An outline of work objectives, listing short- and long-term goals,
will be prepared annually.
e)
A summary report will be prepared annually.
3)
Cooperate in the management of the cave in a manner that furthers and
balances the goals of the CCC (i.e. "to conserve and protect" via
"scientific study" while "ensur[ing] access")
a)
Biology trips will be announced and made available to all interested
CCC members.
b)
The Biology Project Manager shall communicate with the Access and
Restoration/Conservation committees to advise and respond to issues
regarding Carroll Cave's biology and therefore the cave's conservation,
including making recommendations for:
i)
Trail marking or rerouting
ii)
Visitation limitations
iii)
Passage closure
4)
Inventory the biota of Carroll Cave.
a)
Visit each section of the cave, typifying habitats and assessing the
cave's other biotic and abiotic characteristics.
b)
Census each section of the cave, ideally before that section receives
considerable caver traffic.
c)
Measure environmental conditions (preferably, simultaneous with the
bioinventory).
d)
Census animals and their frequencies, using protocol from the
Missouri Cave Life Survey (gross identification, with little disturbance)
and, when warranted, standard biological sampling protocol (e.g. randomized
quadrants, pit traps, etc.).
e)
Collect voucher specimens to identify species, when absolutely
necessary.
f)
Use at least two census trips to estimate "baseline" population
sizes.
5)
Monitor the biota of Carroll Cave.
a)
Find and collect historical data (Hawksley, Rimbach, Weaver, etc.).
b)
Incorporate observations from non-biology trips. (see also 6.b. and
6.c., below)
c)
Measure environmental conditions, including impact from human
traffic.
d)
Prioritize species and/or locations that are at greater risk of
impact.
e)
Re-census highest-priority species and/or locations, replicating
protocol used during the initial inventory. Some situations may call for
more thorough techniques. Care should be taken to minimize any stress
imposed by the very act of monitoring itself.
f)
Scrutinize changes in population estimates (versus natural population
fluctuations) and in the biotic environment; offer explanations.
6)
Study the biota of Carroll Cave.
a)
Research and study the natural history of Carroll Cave animals.
b)
Educate others (particularly surveyors) to be better "passive
observers" in the cave.
c)
Develop and implement a standard by which others can easily submit
biological observations.
d)
Accommodate and encourage further scientific research by other
interested parties.
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