WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.310 --> 00:00:02.880 - So, also with us today is Gretchen Baker 2 00:00:02.880 --> 00:00:04.520 and she's a cave ecologist. 3 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:06.250 Now, before you get started, I have to let you know. 4 00:00:06.250 --> 00:00:07.810 Before this, I didn't know the difference 5 00:00:07.810 --> 00:00:09.330 between a cave and a hole in the ground. 6 00:00:09.330 --> 00:00:11.520 So, tell me kinda what it is that you study, 7 00:00:11.520 --> 00:00:12.353 what do you do? 8 00:00:12.353 --> 00:00:14.620 - I and other biologists and ecologists 9 00:00:14.620 --> 00:00:18.020 are really interested in bats, salamanders, 10 00:00:18.020 --> 00:00:20.210 and other creatures that live in caves. 11 00:00:20.210 --> 00:00:21.890 They bring nutrients into caves 12 00:00:21.890 --> 00:00:24.170 and that's a really important process. 13 00:00:24.170 --> 00:00:26.160 Water's a big deal as well. 14 00:00:26.160 --> 00:00:29.400 We'll be checking out how water connects the biota 15 00:00:29.400 --> 00:00:31.800 from the surface to the subsurface. 16 00:00:31.800 --> 00:00:34.650 And we also study what lives in different zones of the cave. 17 00:00:34.650 --> 00:00:36.050 - So, caves have zones? 18 00:00:36.050 --> 00:00:37.930 - They sure do, shall we take a look? 19 00:00:37.930 --> 00:00:39.060 - Yeah, let's go exploring. 20 00:00:39.060 --> 00:00:40.480 - Okay, wait, wait, wait, wait. 21 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:42.210 If you're getting me in that thing, 22 00:00:42.210 --> 00:00:44.270 we're gonna talk safety first, alright? 23 00:00:44.270 --> 00:00:45.850 So what are some ways that we can stay safe 24 00:00:45.850 --> 00:00:46.780 inside the cave? 25 00:00:46.780 --> 00:00:50.020 - Caves are fun to explore, but it's important to stay safe. 26 00:00:50.020 --> 00:00:52.060 So, never go underground alone, 27 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:53.940 make sure you have the appropriate training 28 00:00:53.940 --> 00:00:55.870 and gear to explore a cave. 29 00:00:55.870 --> 00:00:58.700 Always go in a group with experienced cavers. 30 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:00.640 If you are interested in caves 31 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:02.330 and many places in the country, 32 00:01:02.330 --> 00:01:05.600 you can go visit right now with an experienced guide. 33 00:01:05.600 --> 00:01:07.343 - Here's our gear, let's suit up. 34 00:01:08.402 --> 00:01:11.235 (whimsical music) 35 00:01:20.350 --> 00:01:22.810 - There are three zones in a cave. 36 00:01:22.810 --> 00:01:25.540 This opening, where we are standing, 37 00:01:25.540 --> 00:01:27.040 is called the entrance zone. 38 00:01:27.040 --> 00:01:29.210 When a person pictures a cave, 39 00:01:29.210 --> 00:01:31.320 they usually imagine this area 40 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:34.100 and the animals and plants that are associated with it. 41 00:01:34.100 --> 00:01:35.900 Notice the change in temperature. 42 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:36.733 - Yeah. 43 00:01:36.733 --> 00:01:39.400 It's way cooler down here than it was up there. 44 00:01:39.400 --> 00:01:41.590 - When air moves in and out of the cave, 45 00:01:41.590 --> 00:01:43.410 it causes changes in temperature. 46 00:01:43.410 --> 00:01:46.580 And these changes create a special environment. 47 00:01:46.580 --> 00:01:49.315 This is where life enters and leaves the cave 48 00:01:49.315 --> 00:01:51.780 and this area around cave entrances 49 00:01:51.780 --> 00:01:53.390 and sinkholes is very important. 50 00:01:53.390 --> 00:01:55.490 Let's walk a little further into the cave. 51 00:01:56.420 --> 00:01:57.643 - Alright, after you. 52 00:02:00.930 --> 00:02:03.600 - This area is known as the twilight zone. 53 00:02:03.600 --> 00:02:06.380 Many rare plants and animals like to hang out 54 00:02:06.380 --> 00:02:09.390 in this zone, which is a little further underground. 55 00:02:09.390 --> 00:02:10.690 And if you look further back, 56 00:02:10.690 --> 00:02:12.530 you can see the dark zone. 57 00:02:14.214 --> 00:02:15.547 - The dark zone. 58 00:02:16.440 --> 00:02:17.450 - Believe it or not, 59 00:02:17.450 --> 00:02:19.010 there are different kinds of life 60 00:02:19.010 --> 00:02:20.860 that live in the dark zone as well. 61 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:22.860 Let's head on back and see what's there. 62 00:02:25.335 --> 00:02:28.168 (whimsical music) 63 00:02:42.540 --> 00:02:44.612 - It's crazy cold in here. 64 00:02:44.612 --> 00:02:48.420 - It is, the cave is a constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit 65 00:02:48.420 --> 00:02:51.450 and almost 100 percent humidity year round. 66 00:02:51.450 --> 00:02:52.920 The cave temperature reflects 67 00:02:52.920 --> 00:02:55.780 the average outside temperature of the area. 68 00:02:55.780 --> 00:02:59.040 So if you go to a colder climate or higher elevation, 69 00:02:59.040 --> 00:03:00.240 the cave will be colder. 70 00:03:00.240 --> 00:03:01.890 And if you go someplace warmer, 71 00:03:01.890 --> 00:03:03.440 then that cave would be warmer. 72 00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:06.970 - Hey look, there's some light up there 73 00:03:06.970 --> 00:03:08.860 and a camera's coming down. 74 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:11.560 Is this another entrance into the cave? 75 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:15.340 - Yes, there can be many entrances into one cave system. 76 00:03:15.340 --> 00:03:16.930 This means there are many places 77 00:03:16.930 --> 00:03:19.490 where nutrients and energy can enter the system 78 00:03:19.490 --> 00:03:21.620 and also many different habitats 79 00:03:21.620 --> 00:03:22.820 for different creatures. 80 00:03:24.670 --> 00:03:25.587 - Off rope. 81 00:03:27.310 --> 00:03:29.900 - Hey, what are you doing in the cave? 82 00:03:29.900 --> 00:03:32.960 - I'm part of the team mapping the cave with Fernando. 83 00:03:32.960 --> 00:03:35.050 Do you wanna come with me to find the team 84 00:03:35.050 --> 00:03:36.740 and learn more about the cave? 85 00:03:36.740 --> 00:03:39.250 - Actually, that sounds awesome. 86 00:03:39.250 --> 00:03:40.570 - And I'm gonna go join up with my group 87 00:03:40.570 --> 00:03:42.000 of researchers. 88 00:03:42.000 --> 00:03:43.610 - Well, I hope we can find you down here 89 00:03:43.610 --> 00:03:46.253 because I can't wait to see what it is you all discover.