| dc.description.abstract | Underground cavities represent some of the less explored places on the planet (Lee et
al., 2012). In fact, excluding the known carbonate dissolution/precipitation processes,
leading to the formation of holes in the host rock, as well as speleothems, little is known
about the ecology of these fascinating and enigmatic ecosystems. In spite of this, caves
are generally object of tourist adaptations, which can activate an irreversible impairment
of the biogeochemical equilibria, whose load, until now, is not estimated accurately, due
to the scanty information in this regard (Chiesi and Badino, 2008).
The anthropogenic effects on the air compartment represent the most indiscernible and
not immediately recognizable alteration, just thinking to the heat or breathing produced
by human body, influencing the natural temperature, relative humidity and CO2
concentrations. Moreover, visitors can be carriers of inorganic and organic matter (dust,
hair, bacteria, seeds…) constituting an important energy input, as well as a trophic
source, in the cave oligotrophic ecosystem, affecting its natural energy regime (Russell
and MacLean, 2008; Jurado et al., 2008; Smith et al., 2013; Bruno et al., 2014).
These factors are able to influence the reactions at the interface between the atmosphere
and the other compartments (lithosphere, hydrosphere and biota), fundamental in
controlling the ecosystem processes, that ensure the functioning of the whole
underground ecosystem (Pulido-Bosch et al., 1997; Milanolo and Gabrovšek, 2009; de
Freitas, 2010; Lang et al., 2015a; Lang et al., 2015b; Howarth, 2019). Hence, the
necessity to develop new, sturdy and low-cost tools, including also sensors for data
acquisition and modelling applications (Bugmann et al., 2000; Schmolke et al., 2010),
to monitor and assess continuously cave atmosphere, providing to the authority valid
and efficient devices helping them in the sustainable management. [preface edited by Author] | it_IT |
