Friday, March 12th, 2010

Cave Science

Wondering where you can find some world class spelunking? How about right here in the Cave State? Missouri is home to more than 6,000 caves, with more discovered every year. Those caves are home to exciting geology, to be sure -- but they're also home to everything from blind cavefish, to Indiana bats, to ancient artifacts.

This hour, we'll take a look at the biology, geology and history of Missouri caves. We'll also get an update on the state's efforts to fight white nose syndrome, the fungus that's killing bats in the east. We're broadcasting this week from St Louis, Missouri, as the guests of KWMU.

Guests

William Elliott
Cave Biologist/Resource Scientist
Missouri Department of Conservation
Cave Lab, Runge Conservation Nature Center
Jefferson City, Missouri

Robert Criss
Professor, Geology
Washington University
St. Louis, Missouri

Scott House
President, Cave Research Foundation
Cave City, Kentucky

Related Links

• Biospeleology web site
• National Speleological Society
• Cave Research Foundation
• Missouri Speleological Survey
• Caves Of St. Louis County: A Tale Of Loss
• MDC: Caves

Segment produced by:Annette Heist

Image: The view from inside Jam Up Cave, Missouri, best reached by boat.

Image: Jam Up Cave, Missouri.

Image: The Onyx Cave is the only known home of the Missouri Cave Lichen, Coenogonium missouriense. The lichen may now be extinct.

Image: The bars block access to the cave by humans, but bats can navigate in and out freely.

Friday, March 12th, 2010

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• Cave Science
• Green Building

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