Learning Module – Caves & Karst
From the formation of caves by the movement of groundwater to mapping them and exploring their unique ecosystems to the importance of their conservation, this module is designed to explore the distinct environment of caves and the characteristics of karst landscapes. As a follow-up to our Freshwater Module or as a stand-alone unit, this module provides everything you might need to teach about caves and karst.
Below you will find links to videos, experiments, and articles all about Caves and Karst. If you would like to complete the entire module, it will take about ten days. If you are looking for a more focused lesson, the module includes three main units: Formation & Mapping of Caves, Flora & Fauna, and Conserving & Protecting Caves. Follow the links below for activities and more within each section. This module can easily follow the Freshwater Module.
Introduction to Caves and Karst
This introduction includes activities that should take about an hour and a half to complete.
- Watch this Caves LIVE introductory video.
- Explore the topic of karst before heading underground into the caves with “Tropic Topic” from our Caves and Karst NI about the chemistry of soil and leaves in wet and dry karst zones.
- Answer the reflection section questions as you read. You can review your answers here.
- Complete the FACTivity from “Tropic Topic” and measure different plants’ transcription rates to examine their water usages.
- Watch this clip from Caves LIVE as an introduction to cave ecology.
Formation & Mapping of Caves
This sub unit includes activities that should take about 2 hours to complete.
- Read “A Tale of Two Caves” from our Caves and Karst Natural Inquirer about comparing the morphology of two different cave systems.
- Answer the reflection section questions as you read. You can review your answers here.
- Complete the FACTivity from “A Tale of Two Caves” and explore the formation of speleothems by growing your own stalactite.
- Watch the clip (below) from Caves LIVE about measuring caves.
- Watch the clip (below) from Caves LIVE about using LiDAR.
Optional: To learn more about the use of LiDAR, check out “Beam Me Down, Scotty” and “Treasure Islands” in the Hawai’i-Pacific Islands edition of Natural Inquirer.
- Watch this clip (below) from Caves LIVE about glacier caves.
Flora & Fauna
This subunit includes activities that should take about 2 hours to complete.
- Watch this clip (below) from Caves LIVE about cave fauna.
- Watch this clip (below) from Caves LIVE about caves on other planets.
- Watch this clip (below) from Caves LIVE about fossils in caves.
- Read “The Whole Kit and Kaboodle” from our Caves and Karst NI about the presence of land otters in cave systems and how their presence may have influenced the Tlingit people’s beliefs.
- Answer the reflection section questions as you read. You can review your answers here.
- Complete the FACTivity from “The Whole Kit and Kaboodle” and design a time capsule to show future archaeologists what life is like now.
- Watch this clip (below) from Caves LIVE about Planinska Jama in Slovenia.
Conserving and Protecting Caves
This subunit includes activities that should take about 2 hours to complete.
- Watch this clip (below) from Caves LIVE about conserving and protecting caves.
- Watch this clip from Caves LIVE about White-nose Syndrome in bats.
- Read “Cave Conundrum” from the Caves and Karst Natural Inquirer and learn about whether white-nose syndrome is responsible for all declining bat populations.
- Answer the reflection section questions as you read. You can review your answers here.
- Complete the FACTivity from “Cave Conundrum” and simulate the spread of infectious disease. This activity may be modified to fit different class sizes.
- Complete the unit by discussing or writing about the importance of caves and steps we can take to protect them.
Additional Resources
- Caves LIVE: Live from Luray Caverns – Q&A session with Forest Service and National Park Service scientists
- General information about caves
- Additional lesson plans
- Other useful links
Standards addressed in this Learning Module:
Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environments
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Time, Continuity, and Change