Research, monitoring and documentation
Geological research
In caves is necessary to perform mainly from reasons of complex natural values cognition of underground spaces (determining the cave values) and cognition of natural processes principles from the effective cave protection point of view.
Geomorphological research
The knowledge of morphology, origin and genesis of underground spaces belong among the basic and most important data on caves. Dealing with the problems of cave genesis requires a complex geomorphological research, using the knowledge on geological and hydrogeological settings of given territories together with results of cave sediments dating.
Hydrological research and monitoring
Hydrological and hydrochemical research of cave systems resides mostly in monitoring of qualitative and quantitative character of attributes of karst waters and their potential changes in time and space, as well as in explanation of many times very complicated conditions of their underground circulation.
Speleoclimatological research and monitoring
One of the basic natural components participating on karst processes is the climate. Its complex speleoclimatological research and monitoring brings knowledge that especially for the show caves help to deal with problems of keeping their sustainable state.
Biospeleological research and monitoring
Biospeleological research and monitoring offers the basic data on qualitative and quantitative occurrence of cave fauna. The acquired knowledge is possible to use in working up the cave care programs and other protection activities leading towards more effective protection of organisms living in caves.
Geoecological research and protection
Caves are specific and very labile natural geosystems. Many anthropogenic activities influence the natural proceses, which can disturb the stability of cave geosystems.
Documentation, GIS
Documentation and geographic information system (GIS) are supportive activities for the main activities in the field of cave and karst protection, research and monitoring. The information is processed in digital form to be able to interlink into the integrated information system of the Slovak Caves Administration.
Scientific conferences
Scientific conferences “Research, Utilization and Protection of Caves” is organized by the Slovak Caves Administration biannualy since the second half of the nineties of the last century. Except for the regular scientific conferences, several others are organized including home and international vocational seminars, scientific symposia, colloquia and other events.