- So, also with us today is Gretchen Baker
and she's a cave ecologist.
Now, before you get started, I have to let you know.
Before this, I didn't know the difference
between a cave and a hole in the ground.
So, tell me kinda what it is that you study,
what do you do?
- I and other biologists and ecologists
are really interested in bats, salamanders,
and other creatures that live in caves.
They bring nutrients into caves
and that's a really important process.
Water's a big deal as well.
We'll be checking out how water connects the biota
from the surface to the subsurface.
And we also study what lives in different zones of the cave.
- So, caves have zones?
- They sure do, shall we take a look?
- Yeah, let's go exploring.
- Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait.
If you're getting me in that thing,
we're gonna talk safety first, alright?
So what are some ways that we can stay safe
inside the cave?
- Caves are fun to explore, but it's important to stay safe.
So, never go underground alone,
make sure you have the appropriate training
and gear to explore a cave.
Always go in a group with experienced cavers.
If you are interested in caves
and many places in the country,
you can go visit right now with an experienced guide.
- Here's our gear, let's suit up.
(whimsical music)
- There are three zones in a cave.
This opening, where we are standing,
is called the entrance zone.
When a person pictures a cave,
they usually imagine this area
and the animals and plants that are associated with it.
Notice the change in temperature.
- Yeah.
It's way cooler down here than it was up there.
- When air moves in and out of the cave,
it causes changes in temperature.
And these changes create a special environment.
This is where life enters and leaves the cave
and this area around cave entrances
and sinkholes is very important.
Let's walk a little further into the cave.
- Alright, after you.
- This area is known as the twilight zone.
Many rare plants and animals like to hang out
in this zone, which is a little further underground.
And if you look further back,
you can see the dark zone.
- The dark zone.
- Believe it or not,
there are different kinds of life
that live in the dark zone as well.
Let's head on back and see what's there.
(whimsical music)
- It's crazy cold in here.
- It is, the cave is a constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit
and almost 100 percent humidity year round.
The cave temperature reflects
the average outside temperature of the area.
So if you go to a colder climate or higher elevation,
the cave will be colder.
And if you go someplace warmer,
then that cave would be warmer.
- Hey look, there's some light up there
and a camera's coming down.
Is this another entrance into the cave?
- Yes, there can be many entrances into one cave system.
This means there are many places
where nutrients and energy can enter the system
and also many different habitats
for different creatures.
- Off rope.
- Hey, what are you doing in the cave?
- I'm part of the team mapping the cave with Fernando.
Do you wanna come with me to find the team
and learn more about the cave?
- Actually, that sounds awesome.
- And I'm gonna go join up with my group
of researchers.
- Well, I hope we can find you down here
because I can't wait to see what it is you all discover.