Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 4
Assisting Natural Resource Management
in Mammoth Cave National Park Using
Geospatial Technology
Songlin Fei, Matthew Crawford, and Joe Schibig
Abstract
Mammoth Cave National Park contains the longest surveyed cave system
in the world, recording more than 587 km of mapped passages to date. The park
exhibits a delicate connection between the subsurface and the landscape surface,
including a unique relationship between geology and plant habitats. A suite of
geospatial technologies are available to optimize the management of these natu-
ral resources. GIS, GPS, and geospatial modelling and visualization technologies
were used in this study to demonstrate the use of geospatial technologies in solv-
ing environmental and natural resources related issues. We compiled a variety of
geospatial data, such as geology, soil, vegetation, and land use history, in GIS to be
used to address the many environmental issues at Mammoth Cave National Park.
A detailed case study was conducted to assist the classification of the American
chestnut (
Castanea dentata
) habitat at the Park. Geospatial technology provides
the capability to solve natural resource issues at difference scales, which help the
National Park Service manage their environmental issues, satisfy federal mandates,
and present environmental information that is valuable to all citizens who enjoy
national parks.
Keywords
Geospatial modeling
·
Habitat classification
·
Mammoth Cave
National Park
4.1 Introduction
Mammoth Cave National Park is located in south-central Kentucky (Fig.
4.1
). It
was authorized as a national park in 1926 and was fully established in 1941 in
order to preserve the cave system, scenic landscape, and diverse flora and fauna of
