An Overdue Need for the Inclusion of Carbonate Karst Systems in Global Conservation Efforts. Mike Buchanan - 2025

“Beneath our feet lies a forgotten world. Carved in silence by time, shaped by the unseen dance of water and stone. Karst systems speak in echoes, not in shouts; it gives without demand, sustains without glory. In ignoring what lies below, we forsake the source of what flows above. To protect the surface, we must learn to honour the depths and reach of groundwater.”

Abstract

Carbonate karst systems, formed predominantly in limestone, dolomite, gypsum and chalk, represent unique endemic geological and ecological environments. These systems are not only critical sources of freshwater but also support diverse surface and subterranean biota. However, despite their importance, karst landscapes remain underrepresented in international conservation frameworks such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This paper argues for the urgent inclusion of karst systems in global conservation policy, with a focus on their hydrogeological value and ecological uniqueness.

Introduction

Karst systems are shaped through the dissolution of soluble rocks by natural waters, creating landscapes with sinkholes, caves, underground rivers, and aquifers. Diverse karst features (Ford & Williams, 2007). These features foster complex ecological networks, including endemic cave-dwelling species and vital water catchments. Despite their significance, karst systems are often overlooked in international conservation efforts. As dynamic subterranean wetlands interconnected with surface ecosystems, their protection is essential to the integrated management of water resources and biodiversity conservation (Williams, 2008).

 The Ramsar Convention and Karst Exclusion

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, established in 1971, aims to protect wetlands of international importance (Ramsar, 2024). By 2025, the Convention includes 172 contracting parties and over 2,531 designated Ramsar sites globally. However, the framework has traditionally emphasised surface wetlands—such as marshes, bogs, and swamps, while carbonate karst systems have naively not been explicitly recognised.

This exclusion raises concerns, as many Ramsar sites may directly rely on underlying or adjacent karst aquifers for their hydrology. For instance, subterranean water flow through karst formations often supports surface wetlands, creating an ecological interdependence that remains largely unacknowledged in policy frameworks (Bakalowicz, 2005). A reconceptualization of what constitutes a wetland is necessary. Karst systems often function as critical hydrological arteries and conduits for these environments.

Reasons for Exclusion

1. Focus on Traditional Wetlands

The Ramsar Convention’s emphasis on visible, surface-level wetland ecosystems has inadvertently led to the exclusion of geologically complex systems such as karst. This is partly due to the traditional perception of wetlands as shallow, vegetated areas (Ramsar, 2024), which contrasts with the often-invisible nature of karst hydrology.

2. Complexity and Variability

Karst systems exhibit high spatial variability and hydrological complexity. A single karst catchment may host multiple interconnected wetlands or springs, which do not conform to standard conservation criteria. This complexity complicates mapping, monitoring, and policymaking (White, 1988).

3. Lack of Awareness

Limited awareness among both policymakers and the public about karst systems’ ecological importance leads to their marginalisation. This situation mirrors other systemic environmental blind spots, where invisible ecosystems are undervalued until degradation manifests visibly (Zhang et al., 2011).

4. Competing Conservation Priorities

Funding and political attention tend to gravitate toward charismatic or easily observable environmental crises, such as deforestation or marine pollution. While nuanced ecosystems like karst systems remain under prioritised (UNEP, 2022). This oversight undermines the long-term sustainability of broader ecological networks.

5. Need for Targeted Advocacy

Given the lack of recognition, specific advocacy for karst environments is necessary. This includes research on karst biodiversity, hydrology, and threats such as groundwater contamination, quarrying, and climate-induced water stress (Goldscheider & Drew, 2007). Advocacy should be community-driven and multidisciplinary, bridging the gap between geosciences and conservation biology.

Discussion

Karst systems are not just geological curiosities; they are ecological foundations and hydrological engines. In many regions, karst aquifers supply drinking water to millions, regulate flow to downstream wetlands, and support habitats for endangered species (Ford & Williams, 2007). Their omission from major conservation frameworks like Ramsar represents a gap in global environmental knowledge and governance. To address this, stakeholders including researchers, NGOs, and governments, must work collaboratively to revise conservation definitions and develop site-specific guidelines for karst inclusion. The integration of karst systems into international treaties would not only expand the scope of ecosystem protection but also reinforce the interconnectedness of terrestrial and subterranean environments.

Education and outreach are also essential. Community-based conservation programs in karst-rich areas, such as South Africa, Southeast Asia and the Balkans, can foster stewardship and build grassroots pressure for policy change (Day & Urich, 2000). Conservation must shift from a top-down to a bottom-up approach, embracing local knowledge and participatory governance.

Conclusion

The omission of carbonate karst systems from conservation treaties like the Ramsar Convention is a critical oversight that jeopardises hydrological integrity and biodiversity resilience. Recognising these systems as integral components of global wetland networks is essential for holistic conservation. As climate pressures and anthropogenic impacts intensify, the need to protect subterranean ecosystems grows more urgent. This paper calls for immediate action to integrate karst systems into global conservation frameworks, backed by research, advocacy, and public education.

References

Bakalowicz, M. (2005) 'Karst groundwater: a challenge for new resources', Hydrogeology Journal, 13(1), pp. 148–160.

Day, M.J. and Urich, P.B. (2000) 'Protection of karst landscapes through legislation: Malaysia and the Philippines', Acta Carsologica, 29(2), pp. 85–98.

Ford, D. and Williams, P. (2007) Karst Hydrogeology and Geomorphology. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Goldscheider, N. and Drew, D. (eds.) (2007) Methods in Karst Hydrogeology. London: Taylor & Francis.

Ramsar (2024) The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Available at: https://www.ramsar.org (Accessed: 5 August 2025).

UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) (2022) State of the Environment: 2022. Nairobi: UNEP.

White, W.B. (1988) Geomorphology and Hydrology of Karst Terrains. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Williams, P. (2008) World Heritage Caves and Karst. Paris: UNESCO World Heritage Centre.

Zhang, C., Li, X. and Li, W. (2011) 'Karst groundwater vulnerability mapping using index-overlay and GIS: A case study of Jinan City, China', Environmental Earth Sciences, 63(3), pp. 505–516.

 

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