Riley S. Drake (riley.drake@emory.edu) presented this talk at the National Speleological Society Annual Convention, 2024. 

Abstract: The caves and karst of the Thorne Bay District of the Tongass National Forest were thought to be unique in their marked lack of troglobitic organisms, a phenomenon sometimes attributed to recent glaciation. Recent comprehensive biosurveys have revealed rich biodiversity. Despite their hypothesized importance to the cave ecosystem, little is known about cave-resident planaria. Planaria are more challenging to study than other troglobitic invertebrates because their soft bodies make long-term preservation difficult, preventing phenotype-based taxonomic comparisons between specimens collected at different times. During the summer of 2022, our team of 26 researchers conducted 29 in-cave biological surveys and collected planaria specimens in 8 caves in the Thorne Bay District of the Tongass National Forest over eight weeks. The primary goal of this work was to use field surveys combined with genomic analyses to identify the abundance, distribution, and diversity of planaria across the region. Using long-read whole genome sequencing, we identified six hypervariable regions which we used to divide the planaria collected in the Tongass into four genetically related groups. Finally, we compared thegenetic sequences of planaria collected in the Tongass National Forest to those collected from cave-accessible karst groundwater in Southwest Virginia, a region with very high subterranean biodiversity.

Riley S. Drake (riley.drake@emory.edu) presented this talk by herself and  Katarina Kosič Ficco (Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program) at the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, 2023. This talk detailed another arm of our groundwater studies, in Virginia. 

Abstract: We conducted a systematic investigation of the microbial communities and environmental DNA (fauna detection) present in cave-accessible groundwaters across four different karst regions in Virginia-- the Shenandoah Valley, Highland, New River Valley, and Mountain Empire Region. Two caves per region were selected based on their relation to known endemic subterranean species, geology and groundwater connections to evaluate if these parameters influence the composition of microbiological communities present. Our systematic inventory of microorganisms combined with groundwater geochemistry provides a strong foundation for understanding the interconnectivity of subterranean fauna with microorganisms and groundwater. Little is known about the habitat requirements of subterranean fauna— specifically, the extent to which the composition of aquatic microbial communities or water chemistry creates a suitable habitat. Baseline measurements increased our understanding of existing biological resources and will enable future studies of how seasons, aquifer levels and surface disturbances affect the composition of cave-resident microbial communities. These data will be used by various VA stakeholders to inform their management strategies.

Devra Heyer (dheyer@nckri.org) presented at the National Speleological Society Annual Conventional, 2023. 

Abstract: The summer of 2022 two undergraduate researchers from New Mexico Tech (NMT) joined a cave science expedition to the Tongass National Forest. This opportunity was supported by the National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) and the Cave and Karst Studies (CKS) Program at NMT, through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities in Caves and Karst (UROCK) program. The NMT UROCK program is designed to create undergraduate research opportunities in cave and karst science at New Mexico Tech. This special opportunity was different from previous UROCK awards; instead of students applying with a project of their design/interest and then matched to a mentor; this time the students were matched to the project. A major proponent of this opportunity was to prepare students for remote environments. This meant mentors and mentees made monetary, interpersonal and time investments. To minimize this burden on both parties required a focus on communication, and safety, both physical and psychological. One of the outcomes from incorporating these elements is that we were able to engage undergraduate students from diverse academic and experiential backgrounds into caves. The UROCK students walked away with not only an understanding of cave environments, sampling techniques, and conservation ethos but also a better understanding of life skills such as project management, communication strategies, self-advocacy, self-reliance and a deeper connection to the natural world. 

Riley S. Drake (riley.drake@emory.edu) presented this talk by herself Ramon Armen, John Dunham, and Emily TenCate (Fort Stanton Cave Study Project) at the National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, 2021. 

Abstract (2021 NCKMS Proceedings, page 48): Fort Stanton Cave in Lincoln County, New Mexico is the 10th longest cave in the United States. With the discovery of the Snowy River passage in 2001, it has emerged as one of the most scientifically significant caves in the West. We used 16s rRNA and genomic DNA sequencing to analyze the composition of microbial communities present in Crystal Lake, the terminal sump located at the downstream end of the Snowy River passage. Compared to the low concentration of microbial cells expected in an oligotrophic cave environment, Crystal Lake had a high concentration of microbial cells. We suspected that some of the microbes in Crystal Lake may not be cave resident microbes, and sought the possible surface origins of these microbes. Specifically, we took samples at the resurgence, further downstream in the cave, and from nearby surface water sources which are known or suspected to flow into Fort Stanton Cave, including the suspected insurgence at Eagle’s Mouth. This study established a robust baseline for both the resident microbial community in Crystal Lake and its expected relationship with nearby surface water. We present this case study as a proof-of-concept for the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of microbial monitoring for cave conservation. Microbial monitoring through sequencing has become increasingly accessible through the advent, evolution, and commercialization of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies. We discuss practical applications and limitations for monitoring microbial communities in caves.

https://nckri.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/nckri-22-23-annual-report-format-v.5-bleeds.pdf  Read about our undergraduate research program on Page 22. We are also featured on the cover of the report.