Tourist Traffic Significantly Affects Microbial Communities of Sandstone Cave Sediments in the Protected Landscape Area “Labské Pískovce” (Czech Republic): Implications for Regulatory Measures

Jaroslav Kukla, Michal Holec, Josef Trögl, Diana Holcová, Dagmar Hofmanová, Pavel Kuráň, Jan Popelka, Jan Pacina, Sylvie Kříženecká, Sergej Usťak and Roman Honzík
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Jaroslav Kukla: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Michal Holec: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Josef Trögl: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Diana Holcová: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Dagmar Hofmanová: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Pavel Kuráň: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Jan Popelka: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Jan Pacina: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Sylvie Kříženecká: Faculty of Environment, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem, Králova Výšina 3132/7, Ústí nad Labem 400 96, Czech Republic
Sergej Usťak: Crop Research Institute, Drnovská 507/73, 161 06 Praha 6 - Ruzyně, Czech Republic
Roman Honzík: Crop Research Institute, Drnovská 507/73, 161 06 Praha 6 - Ruzyně, Czech Republic

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: In the Protected Landscape Area “Labské pískovce” (Czech Republic), there are many sandstone caves accessible by permission only and where climbing equipment is commonly required. The tradition of visiting the caves dates back to turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and visitors traditionally record their visits in log-books. We have gathered attendance data from 12 caves from log-books and via survey (2-year form collection period). The attendance varied from less than 10 to ~650 visitors annually. Signs of inadequate behavior of visitors were observed, especially waste disposal and smoking in the caves. Sediment step-compression increased significantly the ratios of fungi/bacteria and gram-positive to gram-negative (G+/G−) phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) as well as PLFA of actinobacteria and activities of sediment phosphatases, glucosidases, and peroxidases. The number of visitors was correlated positively with the G+/G− ratio and sediment nutrients but negatively with sediment moisture and the activity of peroxidases. The results indicate a significant effect of attendance on sediment microbial communities, most likely caused by the import of nutrients into caves. Hence, reconsideration of the cave attendance policy is recommended.

Keywords: sandstone caves; “Labské Pískovce”; sediment microbial communities; phospholipid fatty acids; soil enzyme activities (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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