Moore, John C., Clarke, Jennifer, Heimbrook, Margaret and Mackessy, Stephen. 1993.Survey of Biota and Trophic Interactions Within Wind Cave and Jewel Cave, South Dakota. Progress Report 11/29/93.

Summary

The following represents a summary of the work conducted to survey the biota and trophic interactions within Wind and Jewel Cave. The project was initiated with funds provided by the National Park Service in May 1992 and is scheduled to be completed in May 1995. As stated in the October 1992 progress report all the data presented here are to be treated as preliminary. Furthermore, all identifications of organisms are to be considered tentative. As in the last report, we will restate the goals of the research program.

Phase I: A survey of Wind Cave and Jewel Cave will be conducted to determine the species present, estimates of each species biomass, their distributions within the cave and the food/substrates that they utilize. We will determine the sources of energy (allochthonous and autochthonous) that support the webs -- mammal dung, lighting, lint, sewage, gasoline -- and the factors that regulate their levels and their utilization by the biota.

Phase II: The data collected during Phase I will be used to develop a cave food web simulation model. The model will be patterned after the soil microbal-invertebrate models developed by Hunt et al. (1987) and Moore and DeRuiter (1991). The models will monitor the status of cave ecosystems and serve as predictors of system change.

Phase III: The models and data will be used to develop early warning bioindicators in the form of multivariate statistical models. The models will be provided in a format that will serve as effective management tools for park officials.

Phase I of the project is proceeding on schedule for Wind Cave and is behind schedule for Jewel Cave. We are rethinking our sampling plan for Jewel Cave and are confident that the appropriate adjustments will be made to get us back on schedule. The staff at Jewel Cave had expressed a willingness to sample the more remote areas of the cave to assist us. In the 1992 progress report, we had planned on hiring a student/cave to remain at the site for extended periods of time. We did hire and train a student. The student spent the summer at the site. Wer intend to do the same for the summer of 1994.

The NPS requested more frequent reporting of findings than the required annual reports. The project will update the NPS of any new species as they are encountered, and will provide quarterly report that summarize activities and major findings. These reports will be in the form of informal correspondence with the park personnel involved with the projects.