Bridging the GapScientists/Cavers

• Buried Issues– How are views of the world of cavers and

scientists different; the same?– Open communication between the two groups– Develop training sessions

• Scientists to cavers; Cavers to scientists

Evolution General to Specific

• 1970s– WMD hydrogeologists interested in general

concepts; just learning

• 2000s– Can put “arms around springshed”– Can put “fingers around mapped caves”

– No further discussion

Data Form and Training

• Develop more complete data form to be used by divers

• Scientists/cavers develop form

• Divers collect data, fill out form, supply scientists with data

• FGS agreed to take lead

QA/QC Issues

• Associated with form and data collection

Land Owner Confidentiality

• Property rights and protection

Need for Additional Glossary

• Is it needed?

• If so, what terms need to be included?

Role in Watershed Management

• How do we incorporate cave data?

Ideal state study site“block of Rock”

• If needed, what would it look like and where would it be located

Issues not yet discussed

• Continued development of database

• Future technology

• Potential to fund divers to collect data– Associated liability

Buried Issues(Better Interaction)

– Educational Outreach• Scientists/cavers Cavers/Scientists• Organize meetings between groups• FGS to take lead

Develop “speakers bureau”• Scientists to attend Caver meetings• Scientists need to become more “entertaining”• FGS will try to coordinate

Buried Issues

• Develop message board – FGS to try to take lead (a workload?)

Data Form(To be filled out by willing cavers)

• General– Time, date, weather

• Physical (possible items; not all items)– Conduits/caves – size and shape– Features/morphology– Depth (ave, max)– Dist. of cave conduits– Mapping coordinates

Data Form

– Sediments (sand, clay,mud)– Photographs– Geological formations (to some extent)– Fossils & Artifacts occurrence – Modern artifacts– Mineralization– Colors/staining– Breakdown– Cohesiveness of cave material– Domes and chimneys, vents and rooms– Trib. Arrangement

Data Form

• Flow– Stage (relative); in/out– Velocity (dist/time)

• Quality– Clarity/turbidity– Water color (blue, black, green, milky, “mung”– Stratification– Location of temp, color, WQ, Halocline

change

Data Form

– Metered analytes (need meter)• pH, T, cond, DO, density (?)

– Water sample (need training)

• Biological– DEP “form”– Vegetation at entrance

Form

• Miscel– Sample – who for and what project– Location of sample collection

• Training– Scientists will need to train cavers– Cavers/Scientists go to each others meetings

• Caver meeting May 2004

QA/QC

• Adherence to QA/QC or sampling plans

• Training by scientists needed

• Keep divers “chain of command” to a minimum

Glossary

• Use current glossary (scientists to cavers)

• Develop a second glossary (cavers to scientists)

• As form develops into electronic format, a translator will be developed (S - C; C - S)

Ideal Site

• Goals and properties of site– Test diving and science tech.– Adequate previous knowledge of system– Access to site somewhat controlled– Located near to cavers/researchers – Begin in one area and later move to others

• Woodville Karst Plain (FGS define area)

Other Sites

• Man/Fan Eagles Nest

• Troy Weeki

• Itch Sulphur

• Madison Blue Wekiwa

• Peacock Rainbow

• Beacon Woods Silver

Role in Watershed Man.

• Information from cavers is critical

• Incorp. Locations of caves into WM Plans

• Incorporate Caver Maps into “Science”– Will need QA

Confidentiality

• Need letters of support for a legislative bill to protect land owner confidentiality

• Panel developed draft letter of support

• Other possible supporters– Hydroconsortium,– FAPG– NSS-CDS– Fla Museum of Nat. Hist.?

Future Technology