Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Fig. 4.1
Geographic location of Mammoth Cave National Park
south-central Kentucky. The park has an area of 21,396 ha that is located on the east-
ern edge of the Shawnee section of the Interior Low Plateau Province (Fenneman
1938
). The Green River flows east to west through the park forming moderately
steep valley walls. The ridges and upper slopes of the park are capped with sand-
stone which produces soils that are usually acidic, sandy, and rocky. Sandstone
boulders commonly outcrop on the uppermost slopes. The lower slopes and val-
leys are composed primarily of limestone, housing many caves and sinkholes that
are part of the karst landscape. The park contains most of the longest recorded cave
system in the world, with more than 587 km of mapped passages to date. Because
Mammoth Cave by itself is so famous, people are often unaware that activities
beyond the park boundary have an effect on the park environment.
Geospatial technology is essential for Mammoth Cave National Park needs. Karst
environments are dynamic and require GIS practices that convey how these land-
scapes develop and can be managed. The connection between bedrock geology and
other related information, such as springs, sinkholes, surface streams, elevation,
vegetation, slope, and aspect will provide a platform for effective geospatial rela-
tionships. Mammoth Cave National Park has recently used 1:24,000-scale geologic
data along with a variety of GIS data and customized maps to help the park meet
their management needs and also provide valuable information to all visitors. In
this chapter, we demonstrate the value of geospatial technology in park manage-
ment by presenting a case study which uses geospatial tools to assist locating and
restoring an important tree species, American chestnut (
Castanea dentata
). And we
discuss the application of geospatial technologies in solving environmental issues
and challenges for the park and beyond.
