Northwest Florida Environmental Conservancy, Part 2
Home | Biodiversity of the Northern Gulf Coast | Ecosystems of Northwest Florida | Bogs, Seepage Slopes, Savannas & Carnivorous Plants | Steepheads | Terrestrial Caves | Caves - Page 2 | Rare & Unusual Plants of the Northern Gulf Coast | Beneficial Critters & Species! | Elusive & Rare Florida Panhandle Amphibians & Reptiles | Which Snake is Venomous? | Rare Amphibians & Reptiles of Upland Sandhills | The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake | Bats Roosting in Florida Bridges | Jackson County, Florida: Rare & Endangered Species Summary | Amphibians & Reptiles of the Florida Panhandle - A Checklist | Bats of Florida - A Checklist | Crayfish of Florida - A Checklist | Damselflies & Dragonflies of Northwest Florida - A Checklist | Darters of the Florida Panhandle - A Checklist | Carnivorous Plant Species of Florida - A Checklist | Carnivorous Plant Species of the United States - A Checklist | At the End of the Rainbow
Caves - Page 2

 
A photo journal of Karst and caves
of the Marianna Lowlands!

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(Above) Limestone outcroppings.  Florida Caverns State Park.  Jackson Co., FL. 
 
Numerous rock outcroppings are found throughout Jackson County.  These outcropings are evidence of the enormous limestone deposits that lie beneath the Marianna Lowlands.  These massive deposits of limestone make up the aquifer which supplies fresh water for human consumption, agriculture, business and waste treatment.
 
(Below) Limestone outcroppings on the Chipola River.  Jackson Co., FL.

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The Beauty inside Caves!

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(Above) Fantastic Formations!  Inside the tour cave of FL Caverns State Park.  Jackson Co., FL.
 
Caves and cave animals are extremely susceptible to disturbance, vandalism and artifact seekers.  Tens of thousands of years of geological processes can be destroyed in minutes by vandals and people breaking off stalactities and other cave formations.  Unfortunately, people may also disturb and kill bats and bat colonies in caves.
 
(Right)  The wedding cake, inside the Wedding Room of the tour cave - FL Caverns State Park.  Weddings are actually held in this room, but don't try to eat the cake!  Jackson Co., FL. 
 
Cave Life! 

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(Left) An Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus).  Pipistrelle bats are one of the most common caves bats inhabiting caves of this region.  They are the most common bat seen in the tour cave of FL Caverns State Park!  Jackson Co., FL.
 
Caves are very important for many unique and specifically adapted animals, such as the blind cave salamander, and the blind cave crayfish.  Caves provide roosting habitat for up to millions of bats.  Bats are extremely beneficial to humans in a variety of ways.
 
(Below)  Southeastern bats (Myotis austroriparius).  Southeastern bats are a rare species of bat in Florida.  They rely heavily on caves as roosting sites.

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  It’s very important that we protect one of the most extraordinary and unique aspects of Jackson County – its caves!  Caves are a big part of local tourism, and they make up a large percentage of the geology of this area.  Unfortunately people use caves and sinkholes as garbage pits.  The trash and debris thrown into caves contaminates areas and eventually leads into the ground water and aquifer.  This contaminated water leads right back into our drinking water!  It’s vital that we protect one of Jackson’s County’s and the region's most unique assets!
  NWFLEC has started an inventory and list of caves of Jackson County and the surrounding regions.  In this inventory we want to document: the status of each cave; ownership; cultural and archaeological history and use; and what wildlife utilizes each cave.  So far we've documented 79 caves!  If anyone has any information on caves of the FL Panhandle or adjacent Alabama or Georgia, or if we may visit your cave, please contact us!
  Special thanks to Royce Reagan (of Chipola College) and Brian Fugate (Manager) and the staff of FL Caverns State Park for playing vital roles in the protection and documentation of this regions outstanding caves!

Pg. 8 Rare & Unusual Plants of the Northern Gulf Coast