This book reveals the science and beauty of Mammoth Cave, the world's longest cave, which has played an important role in the natural sciences. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary treatment of the cave, combining insights from leading experts in fields ranging from archeology and cultural history to life science and geosciences. The first animals specialized for cave life in North America, including beetles, spiders, crayfish, and fish, were discovered in Mammoth Cave in the 1840s. It has also been used and explored by humans, including Native Americans, who mined its sulfate minerals and later African-American slaves, who made a map of the cave. More recent stories include 'wars' between commercial cave owners, epic exploration trips by modern cave explorers, and of course tourism. The first section of the book is an extensive description including maps and photos of the cave, its basic structural pattern, and how it relates to the surface landscape. The second section covers the human history of utilization and exploration of the cave, including mining, tourism, and medical experiments. Cave science is the topic of the third section, including geology, hydrology, mineralogy, climatology, paleontology, ecology, biodiversity, and microbiology. The fourth section looks to the future, with an overview of environmental issues facing Mammoth Cave managers. The book is intended for anyone interested in caves in general and Mammoth Cave in particular, experts in one discipline seeking information about other areas, and researchers and students interested in the many avenues of pursuit possible in Mammoth Cave.

Inhalt

Part 1:- 1. Introduction to Mammoth Cave.- Part 2:- 2. Prehistoric Archaeology of Mammoth Cave.- 3. The History of Mammoth Cave.- 4. Exploration History of Mammoth Cave.- 5. Mammoth Cave: A Cartographic History.- Part 3A:- 6. Geology of Mammoth Cave.- 7. Geologic History of Mammoth Cave.- 8. Hydrology and Hydrogeology of Mammoth Cave.- 9. Mineralogy of Mammoth Cave.- 10. Meteorology of Mammoth Cave.- 11. Under Foot: The Paleontology of Mammoth Cave.- Part 3B:- 12. Landscape ecology of Mammoth Cave: How Surface and Cave Ecosystems Influence Each Other.- 13. Terrestrial Cave Ecology of the Mammoth Cave Region.- 14. Mammoth Cave Aquatic ecology.- 15. Biodiversity.- 16. Mammoth Cave Microbiology.- 17. Bats of Mammoth Cave.- Part 4:- 18. Environmental Issues Relevant to Mammoth Cave and the Region.- Afterword: How Long is Mammoth Cave?.