This document discusses karst landscapes, explaining that they are geological formations shaped by the dissolution of soluble bedrock like limestone. Karst areas are important for their mineral, hydrological, and biological values. They support unusual plant and animal species and house important mineral and water resources. The document argues that karst areas should be protected to preserve these values and habitats for the future.

1. Karst
What is it? Why is it important? Why
we should protect it?

2. Kostivere karst area

3. What exactly is karst?
• Geological formation shaped by
the dissolution of a layer or layers of
soluble bedrock
• Usually carbonate rock (limestone
or dolomite)
• Has also been documented
for weathering resistant rocks, such
as quartzite given the right conditions

4. Why is it important?

5. Mineralogical
Values
Cave pearls - Mineral deposits
in karst terrain can be extensive,
and come in a variety of forms
Recreation – Mineral deposits
Create formations that add to
Recreational values (e.g., Cave pearls
stalactites, stalagmites,
moon milk, cave pearls, etc.)
Mineral resources – Carbonate bedrocks have long been recognized
for their mineral values
Oil and gas – Karst areas can be favourable environments for oil and
gas

6. Hydrological
Values
Karst hydrological systems
can move large quantities
of water in a relatively
short period of time.
These rapid transit times
and the limited ability of
subsurface streams to
cleanse and filter means
that introduced harmful
substances have the
potential to seriously
impact sensitive karst
environments, human
water supplies, and
important fish-rearing
streams.

7. Biological Values
• Forest productivity – Karst ecosystems are
commonly more productive than similar forest
sites on non-karst terrain. This increased
productivity can be largely attributed to the well-
drained soils and nutrient cycling associated with
karst.
• Plant and animal habitats – Karst ecosystems
often support unusual or rare plant and animal
species, both on the surface and underground.

8. Some examples of rare species:
• Some ferns and mosses require • Trogloxenes utilize caves. For
a limestone substrate on which to example, bats use caves for
grow and other fern species have roosting and hibernation.
adapted to growing in the cool,
moist twilight conditions of cave
entrances.
• Elk and deer use cave entrances
during summer for bedding down
because the air from caves is
cooler and also during the winter
when cave air is generally warmer
than surrounding temperatures.

9. • My name is Andrea Aun. I’m 17 year-old
student from Estonia. I go to 10th grade in
Viimsi school.
• I chose this theme because in Estonia, there
are so many magnificent karst areas and we
really should protect them.

10. Protected karst areas as bridge to
the future!