Journal Article
Caves and karst of Ecuador – state of the art and research perspectives
Constantin, S., Toulkeridis, T., Moldovan, O.T., Villacís, M. and Addison, A.
Record Number:
6358
Year:
2018
Journal:
Physical Geography
Pages:
1-25
Volume:
xx
Abstract:
Current knowledge of caves and karst regions of Ecuador is scarce
and broadly limited to discrete areas such as that of the Galápagos
volcanokarst. In continental Ecuador, carbonate karst mostly outcrops
in the Amazonian basin and accounts for 5–10% of the surface of
the country. However, owing to the difficulties of access within the
Amazonian rainforest, most surface and subterranean karst is yet
to be revealed. In this review, we present an updated map of the
solutional karst of Ecuador based on the most recent geological
surveys and our own research. We describe the principal karst regions
of Ecuador from the Amazonian basin (Napo and Santiago) as well as
the Galápagos pseudokarst. We show that Ecuador karst research may
be of considerable importance for both basic and applied research
owing to its geographical position and intrinsic vulnerabilities. We
discuss the main challenges of karst-related research in Ecuador, such
as paleoclimatic studies, subterranean biodiversity, and archeology.
We discuss the main vulnerabilities and hazards related to karst uses
in Ecuador, considering the paramount importance of tourism for the
country.
Times Cited:
3