Bridging the Gap Scientists/Cavers

1. Bridging the GapScientists/Cavers • Buried Issues • How are views of the world of cavers and scientists different; the same? • Open communication between the two groups • Develop training sessions • Scientists to cavers; Cavers to scientists

2. Evolution General to Specific • 1970s • WMD hydrogeologists interested in general concepts; just learning • 2000s • Can put “arms around springshed” • Can put “fingers around mapped caves” • No further discussion

3. Data Form and Training • Develop more complete data form to be used by divers • Scientists/cavers develop form • Divers collect data, fill out form, supply scientists with data • FGS agreed to take lead

4. QA/QC Issues • Associated with form and data collection

5. Land Owner Confidentiality • Property rights and protection

6. Need for Additional Glossary • Is it needed? • If so, what terms need to be included?

7. Role in Watershed Management • How do we incorporate cave data?

8. Ideal state study site“block of Rock” • If needed, what would it look like and where would it be located

9. Issues not yet discussed • Continued development of database • Future technology • Potential to fund divers to collect data • Associated liability

10. Buried Issues(Better Interaction) • Educational Outreach • Scientists/cavers Cavers/Scientists • Organize meetings between groups • FGS to take lead Develop “speakers bureau” • Scientists to attend Caver meetings • Scientists need to become more “entertaining” • FGS will try to coordinate

11. Buried Issues • Develop message board • FGS to try to take lead (a workload?)

12. Data Form(To be filled out by willing cavers) • General • Time, date, weather • Physical (possible items; not all items) • Conduits/caves – size and shape • Features/morphology • Depth (ave, max) • Dist. of cave conduits • Mapping coordinates

13. Data Form • Sediments (sand, clay,mud) • Photographs • Geological formations (to some extent) • Fossils & Artifacts occurrence • Modern artifacts • Mineralization • Colors/staining • Breakdown • Cohesiveness of cave material • Domes and chimneys, vents and rooms • Trib. Arrangement

14. Data Form • Flow • Stage (relative); in/out • Velocity (dist/time) • Quality • Clarity/turbidity • Water color (blue, black, green, milky, “mung” • Stratification • Location of temp, color, WQ, Halocline change

15. Data Form • Metered analytes (need meter) • pH, T, cond, DO, density (?) • Water sample (need training) • Biological • DEP “form” • Vegetation at entrance

16. Form • Miscel • Sample – who for and what project • Location of sample collection • Training • Scientists will need to train cavers • Cavers/Scientists go to each others meetings • Caver meeting May 2004

17. QA/QC • Adherence to QA/QC or sampling plans • Training by scientists needed • Keep divers “chain of command” to a minimum

18. Glossary • Use current glossary (scientists to cavers) • Develop a second glossary (cavers to scientists) • As form develops into electronic format, a translator will be developed (S - C; C - S)

19. Ideal Site • Goals and properties of site • Test diving and science tech. • Adequate previous knowledge of system • Access to site somewhat controlled • Located near to cavers/researchers • Begin in one area and later move to others • Woodville Karst Plain (FGS define area)

20. Other Sites • Man/Fan Eagles Nest • Troy Weeki • Itch Sulphur • Madison Blue Wekiwa • Peacock Rainbow • Beacon Woods Silver

21. Role in Watershed Man. • Information from cavers is critical • Incorp. Locations of caves into WM Plans • Incorporate Caver Maps into “Science” • Will need QA

22. Confidentiality • Need letters of support for a legislative bill to protect land owner confidentiality • Panel developed draft letter of support • Other possible supporters • Hydroconsortium, • FAPG • NSS-CDS • Fla Museum of Nat. Hist.?

23. Future Technology