Maintenance of karst biodiversity, with an emphasis upon Australian populations

Abstract

Biospeleology-the stJldy of cave-dwelling organisms-has long been recognised as making a major contribution to the understanding of both evolutionary and adaptive processes and community ecology. A focus on the broader concept of the karst environment as a whole leads to consideration of a much wider range of interdependent organisms, ranging from bacteria and other microbiota, through a wide range of terrestrial, freshwater and anchialine invertebrates, various vertebrates, and karst-dependent plant associations adapted to life on alkaline soils, often with cyclic aridity. This paper reviews the Australian biota, identifies the major threats to its continuing biodiversity and discusses the importance of, and potential strategies for, protection. It concludes by identifying major priorities for research and protective action.