|
|
Ogulin Karst Ecosystem, Croatia
Ogulin Karst, Croatia
is located in the northern Dinaric karst area and is part of the
Black Sea drainage. The lowest point of known underground channels
is 83.5 m deep in the Djula-Medvedica cave system. The high biodiversity
of this karst ecosystem is likely due to rich organic input, permanent
groundwater habitats, high diversity of surface streams and the
changing of water flow directions in the area. It is one of the
richest underground biodiversity sites in the world with more
than 20 cave-limited species, including several endemics. The
karst ecosystem is threatened from sewage and waste dumping, water
extraction for the Gojak Hydroelectric Power Plant which causes
the old parts of the river beds to maintain water only during
extremely high water levels, the construction of highways and
gasoline pipelines. The Croatian Biospeleological Society, the
Speleological section of the Mountaineering Clubs "Zeljeznicar"
and "Velebit" and the local Ecological Society of Ogulin
are all interested in the protection of this system.
The extremely high subterranean biodiversity of the Karlovac County on the global level highlights the necessity of research and conservation of the entire region. Until now more than 100 actual subterranean species have been registered, which included 30 endemic species. The most important are: olm (Proteus anguinus), probably the most famous subterranean animal. It is endemic to Dinarides, and one of the species that needs strict protection according to the list of EU Habitat Directive, Anex II and Anex IV. The Red List of Endangered Plants and Animals in Croatia contains several species from the Karlovac County, including the Ogulin cave planarian (Dendrocoelum subterraneum), which is considered extinct. The Ogulin cave sponge (Eunapius subterraneus), the only subterranean freshwater sponge in the worls, the Babich's cave prawn (Troglocaris anophthalmus intermedia) and the Enigmatic cave hydrozoan (Velkovrhia enigmatica) are considered endangered, the Cave tube-worm (Marifugia cavatica) vulnerable and the Kordun cave pill-bug (Monolistra caeca meridionalis) near threatened.
Croatian Endemic Stygobitic Freshwater
Sponge Does Not Belong To The Genus Eunapius
Freshwater sponge which
inhabits karst caves around Ogulin was described in 1986 as Eunapius
subterraneus (Sket and Velikonja (1986) Stygologia 2, 254-266).
So far it is the only known obligatory inhabitant of underground
waters from the phylum Porifera and is therefore unique in the
world. Twenty years old taxonomic position of this endemic stygobitic
sponge is based primarily on the morphology of spicules. In order
to better characterize this sponge, we have performed genetic
analysis and determined primary structures of 18S rDNA, ITS2 (internal
transcribed region 2) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI) mitochondrial
gene. DNA sequences of the 3 diagnostic DNA regions were compared
with the same DNA sequences from freshwater sponges belonging
to the family Spongilidae. Our genetic analyses undoubtedly exclude
this sponge from the genus Eunapius. E. subterraneus shows much
higher genetic similarity with sponges from the genus Ephydatia.
However, due to the unique changes in the primary structure of
diagnostic DNA regions, this unique Croatian endemic sponge should
probably be considered as the only known member of a new genus.
The only stygobiotic sponge, known up to date, is Eunapius subterraneus including two subspecies E. subterraneus subterraneus Sket & Velikonja 1986 and E. subterraneus mollisparspanis Sket & Velikonja 1986. Since the first description of the species, when only three localities were known, the species was found in six additional localities. This research has been part of the project " Conservation of Eunapius subterraneus, the only underground freshwater sponge in the world" , and it has been conducted in order to analyse morphological features and identify newly recorded populations, as well as to examine the current state of habitat quality and population-threatening changes. Samples were collected from six localities and specimens were examined morphometrically. The subspecies E. subterraneus subterraneus was recorded in three new localities. Subspecies E. subterraneus mollisparspanis was only found at the type locality. In Cave system Dula Medvedica population was not found, while research in Cave in quarry Tounj was not conducted because of risks due to high statical instability of the cave. Both localities are registered in the List of 10 most endangered karst phenomena in Croatia. Eunapius subterraneus is listed in the Red list of threatened plants and animals of Croatia, and, in addition, Ogulin as a part of distribution area is registered in 2003 as one of 10 most endangered karst ecosystems in the world by Karst waters institute (Washington, USA). These two facts indicate the need for urgent protection measures to save this unique element of Croatian fauna.
Contact:
Croatian Biospeleological Society
E-mail: jana.bedek@hpm.hr
A proposal for the European Science Foundation is submitted by Oana Moldovan (Romania)
download the project from ESF_Moldovan.doc
Acronym PERSEFONE
Subterranean ecosystems, an important component of the Europe's natural heritage, has scientific and public importance due to their peculiar adaptations of animals, but especially due to the high degree of endemism and relictualism of all continental habitats. Features of their diversified habitats and characteristics of adaptation make them excellent subjects for scientific research, but at the same time extremely vulnerable to any human impact, direct or indirect. Less known by the general public and even by specialists from other fields of research, ignored by European and national legislation, the subterranean ecosystems represent an important part of European biodiversity that needs special measures of protection; above all it needs to be known by politicians or other empowered persons. Therefore, the main goal of the project is to make the subterranean habitats and their inhabitants known to the general public, students, cave managers and politicians by presenting the knowledge and experience of almost one century of studies. Over five years, the project will facilitate schools, workshops, conferences, leaflets, brochures, articles, books, CDs and press conferences with the aim of making visible to the uninformed this unseen living world and emphasizing its important roles and extreme vulnerability. Subterranean biology studies are performed worldwide, and so is the approach for protecting underground ecosystems. Best world specialists will participate in all phases of the project and parallel support from the NSF is being requested.
This initiative is supported by the International Society for Subterranean Biology [SIBIOS-ISSB]
EXPEDITION TO THE OTONGA
FOREST (ECUADOR)
download BozzaOtonga.doc
INTRODUCTION
The conservation of our planet's biodiversity is one of today's
most topical environmental themes. Three quarters of the ten million
species that live on earth are to be found in the tropical rain
forest. But the rain forest is being destroyed at a rate of 150.000
square Kilometres every year, resulting in the extinction
of tens of tens of thousands species annually.
The "Biodiversity Project" was initiated in the
year 2000 by Secondary Schools in Verona and the "Natura
Viva Association" with the aim of informing students and
citizens alike and to raise funds to buy portions of rain forest,
the only way to save this environment from destruction.
Professor Giovanni Onore, missionary, entomologist,
Director of the Museum of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica
del Ecuador (Quito) and President of the "Otonga Foundation"
has been campaigning against the distruction of primary rain forest
in Ecuador since 1996. Thanks to Prof. Onore 1.500 hectares of
virgin forest (Otonga Forest) with all its biological wealth have
already been acquired.
MISSION OTONGA 2004 proposes to combine the skills of export
naturalists and speleologists with the aim of studying life forms
and the natural history of this uncontamined corner of the ecudorean
rain forest believed to contain the highest degree of biodiversity
per unit area of all countries in the world.
LOCATION OF THE STUDY AREA
The Otonga Foresti s situated in the Province of Cotopaxi, at
between 1300 and 2300 metres above sea level, about 100 km to
the west of the capital city, Quito and at five km from
the village of San Francisco de Las Pampas. It consists
of 1500 hectares of primari mountain woodland, natural pastures
and areas that have undergone reforestation with species coming
from nurseries within the same forest.
Otonga includes an area called Otongachi, very near the
village of La Uniòn del Toachi. In Otongachi there
are about 20 hectares of piedmont evergreen woodland. The Otonga
area has typically an irregular landscape with steep slopes and
deeply cut valleys. Otonga lies on the boundary of a larger wooded
region where there are areas of private property and a state controlled
area called the Reserva Forestal del Rìo Lelia.
These forests, including Otonga, cover a surface area of 5000
hectares; this in turn is connected to the Reserva Ecologica
Los Ilinizas. The interaction between all these primary woodlands
allows Otonga to maintain a high degree of biodiversity, thanks
to great size of the whole area. However there are serious threats
to the natural equilibrium such as poaching, illegal cutting of
timber and mining as the region is rich in mineral resources (including
gold). In the last 20 years the extension of the forest has been
considerably reduced and Otonga region together with the Reserva
Forestal del Rio Lelia and the Reserva ecologica Los
Ilinizas have become the last refuge of importance for the
fauna and flora of the entire region.
At a altitude of 2000 metres above sea level the mean annualò
rainfall is around 2500 mm and mean humidity about 90%. The average
temperature is around 16 °C. The year is divided into two
alternatine periods: the rainy season, from dicembre to june and
the dry season from july to novembre. Precipitation is frequent
and well distributed throghout the corse of the year. The region
is generally coverei by thick cloud and the misti s a distintive
feature of the rain forest (hence the name bosque nublado)
OBJECTIVES
The "MISSION OTONGA 2004" expedition will include biologists,
zoologists and speleologists and aims at the following objectives:
1) the collection and study of lichens from the Otonga Forest.
2) the exploration and mapping of caves in the area;
3) the collection and study of the cave and soil fauna of the
area;
4) the collection and study of the aquatic fauna from both
surface and underground sources;
5) the publication of results in scientific bullettins and journals;
6) the organization of seminars by the naturalists taking part
in the expedition for students of natural sciences at the Pontificia
Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (Quito);
7) the production of a documentary and photographic record of
the expedition and of biological emergencies in the Otonga rain
forest;
8) a feasability study for the reintroduction within a controlled
environment of the andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) to
the Otonga Forest by the Natura Viva Park.
PROMOTERS
Gruppo Attività Speleologica Veronese
Associazione Natura Viva
Otonga Foundation (Ecuador)
Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador (Quito)
SUPPORTERS
Società Lichenologica Italiana
Societè Internationale de Biospeleologie
Società Speleologica Italiana
Museo Civico Storia Naturale di Verona
Laboratorio di Biologia Sotterranea di Verona
Università degli Studi di Trieste (requested)
Università degli Studi de L'Aquila (requested)
Conferenza Episcopale Italiana (requested)
Associazione Bioforest (requested)
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
Dr. Gianfranco Caoduro (biospeleologist) - Laboratorio
di Biologia sotterranea di Verona
Prof. Giovanni Onore (entomologist) - Università
di Quito/Fondazione Otonga
Prof. Giuseppe Osella (zoologist) - Dipar. Biologia Università
de L'Aquila
Prof. Mauro Tretiach (botanist) - Dipar. Biologia Università
di Trieste
In addition to the coodinators of the different sectors (zoological,
botanical and speleological) other 12 partecipants (botanists,
zoologists and speleologists) working for the promoting and suppoting
bodies have been involved in the expedition.
TIMETABLE The Mission Otonga 2004 will take place between august 2nd and 25th 2004.
DOCUMENTATION
During the corse of the expedition a documentary film will be
produced on the various phases of the researches and on the botanical
and zoological emergencies of the areas investigated. The documentation
will also include a photographic report of whole expedition.
PRICES
The Mission Otonga 2004 will cost on the whole about 20.000 ¤,
inclusive of cost of the trip, equipment and miscellaneous items,
internal travel (Ecuador), board and lodging.
Prof. Yuan Daoxian
Karst Dynamics Laboratory Tel: +86-773-5834232(O)
No.40 Qixing Rd., Guilin Fax: +86-773-5837845
Guangxi 541004 Email: dxyuan@karst.edu.cn
P. R. China
Web Site: http://www.karst.edu.cn
A
PROPOSAL TO ESTABLISH AN INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER ON KARST
(IRCK) UNDER THE AUSPICES OF UNESCO
The IGCP 448 "World Correlation of Karst Ecosystem", under the supports of the Karst Commissions of International Association of Hydrogeologists(IAH), the International Geographical Union(IGU), the Union of International Speleology(UIS), the karst research institutions of many countries, the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, the Geological Society of China,and the Chinese government proposes to establish a new International Research Center on Karst (IRCK) under the auspices of UNESCO. The main objectives of IRCK are to understand karst system in a world scale, to develop science and technology for sustainable development in karst regions, which is generally regarded as one of the most fragile environmental system of the world. The researches of the Center aims at various environmental and resource problems of karst, such as water, mineral and tourism resources, especially those related to world heritages, as well as rock desertification, water quality, surface collapse, and flood disasters in karst. These problems are becoming more and more pressing in the 21st Century because of population pressure, socio-economic development and urbanization in karst.
The proposal for the establishment of IRCK is on the bases of 15 years international cooperation of karst research during the implementation of IGCP 299 "Geology, Climate, Hydrology and Karst Formation" (1990-1994); IGCP 379 "Karst Processes and the Carbon Cycle" (1995-1999), and IGCP 448 "World Correlation of Karst Geology and Its Relevant Ecosystem" (2000-2004). The smooth running of the 3 IGCP Karst Projects has brought together world karst communities under the framework of Karst Commisions of IAH, IGU, and UIS for not only tackling with the most urgent environmental and resource problems in karst, but also developing a collaborative team work. The IRCK shall cooperate with the 3 Karst Commissions. It will conduct multidisciplinary research on karst, but will have close collaborations with karst research institutions of many countries which deal with special topic of karst science, such as karst hydrogeology, speleology, etc. They include Centre d'Hydrogeologie, University of Neuchatel, Switzerland; Department of Hydrogeology, Graz University, Austria; Department of Geography, University of Auckland, New Zealand; Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Bremen, Germany; The Institute of Karst Geology, Guilin, China; Center of Karst Water Research, Hecetteppe University, Turkey; Institute of Geography, University of Silesia, Poland; Karst Research Institute, Postoina, Slovenija; Karst Water Institute, Charles Town, OH, USA; Limestone Research Group, University of Huddersfield, England; National Park Service Cave and Karst Program, USA; School of Geography, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada; Institute of Karst and Cave, Perm University, Russia; Montpellier Section, BRGM, France.
The IRCK will be located in Guilin-China, taking into account that it has long been the Secretariat of IGCP299, IGCP379 and IGCP448, and the Chinese Government and international karst research institutions will support it. The municipal government of Guilin has promised to provide land resources for its infrastructure construction. The member organizations of IGCP299, -379 and -448 shall support and cooperate with the Center through sending karst expert to conduct joint research there. The IRCK will have its own staff consisting of qualified experts, including the possible establishment of UNESCO Chairs, technical assistants, and management and secretarial personnel to realize its objectives.
On the bases of up-to-date karst research, the IRCK will educate postgraduate students, scientists and engineers. It will also provide world karst database and sending karst experts through its global network to provide technical assistants. The IGCP 299-448 Website (http://www.karst.edu.cn) will continue to serve for the IRCK.
The establishment of IRCK will actively contribute to the Agenda 21 ,especially sustainable development of karst regions,which covers 15% of world continental land surface,with a billion of people.
Dear Collegues
I want to invite you to a discussion regarding the few lines I
wrote below, about a project that can be proposed in FP6 program.
I would like to have your advice, your opinion about the interest
of participation in such a project. I would like to propose it
as an Integrated Project with more than 3 institution European
institution involved in it. I know the dead-line for such proposal
is very near, but if i have your interest I will be glad to do
all the formalities very quick.
Waiting for your answers and wish you all my best, Oana
DEVELOPMENT OF AN EUROPEAN NETWORK OF PROTECTED SUBTERRANEAN HABITATS OF ENDEMIC SPECIES, RARE COMMUNITIES AND ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
Generally, little attention is paid to
subterranean species, biological communities and archeological
sites in the European or some countries legislation. Rich in endemic
species, rare communities and well-preserved archeological sites,
the cave are unfortunately subject of serious anthropic direct
and non-direct impacts due to their beautiful landscapes and adventure
possibilities. Their beautis, and their biological and cultural
heritage is often unique world-wide and are the result of many
hundreds thousand years of evolution. The scope of such a network
is to establish or improve the permanent monitoring and the wise
management of the subterranean scientifical and cultural important
resources. This is possible through multidisciplinary (ecology,
population biology, hidrobiology, genetics, climatology, archeology,
paleontology) studies in each location, at the surface and in
the cave, which need to concentrate at the beginning on the most
important European sites. Once the working protocol established
the scope is to gather more caves in this network and to increase
the public interest in the protection of the important caves and
the surrounding natural areas.
European Project PASCALIS:
Protocols for the Assessement and Conservation
of Aquatic Life
in the Subsurface
PASCALIS
(Protocols for the ASsessment and Conservation
of Aquatic Life In the Subsurface)
is a research project supported by the European Commission under
the Fifth Framework Programme and contributing to the implementation
of the Key Action "Global Change, Climate and biodiversity"
within the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, and
is a art of the workprogram addressed: EESD-2000-2.2.3. (Key Action
2: Global Change, Climate and biodiversity 2.2.3 Assessing and
conserving biodiversity).
http://www.pascalis-project.org/
Pascalis contact : Janine Gibert
EPA [Western Australia]
Guidance Statement for the Assessment of Environmental Factors
No. 54 - Consideration of Subterranean Fauna in
Groundwater and Caves during Environmental Impact Assessment.
is available at www.epa.wa.gov.au under 'Environmental Impact Assessment', ' Guidance Statements' scroll down until you get to summary of statement 54 and then download.
download from sibios website : EPA_GS54.pdf
Information from : Bill
Humphreys
SIBIOS - geoffroy@mnhn.fr
Written by Jean-Jacques Geoffroy
© SIBIOS,
2010