Our karst heritage
Think of Ireland's natural heritage and what comes to mind? Perhaps an image of the Lakes of Killarney, the purple-brown boglands or the Giant's Causeway, but whatever it might be it will undoubtedly include the surreal limestone landscape areas like the Burren in Co. Clare and the Cuilcagh mountains in Co. Fermanagh. Some of the best karst landscapes and features in Europe are found in Ireland.

Why should the best examples of these features be conserved?

• They are an integral part of our natural heritage
• We have a duty to future generations to preserve our heritage so that it may become theirs
• Karst has a distinctive character. To the usual three-dimensional relief, karst landforms add a 'fourth dimension', namely the subterranean relief, a sort of negative replica of the surface drainage patterns, to which it is closely connected
• Conservation has direct and immediate benefits for humanity

What benefits?

• Karst areas have a distinctive beauty for both local people and visitors
• The tourism potential of areas like the Burren and Marble Arch cave needs no elaboration
• They are a valuable scientific and educational resource
• They are fundamental in understanding and appreciating our historical, ecological and archaeological heritage
• They are often the only source of drinking water, particularly in rural areas

Threats to our karst heritage
Karst limestone areas are a valuable part of our natural heritage, but they are also under threat from several sources: water pollution, dumping, insensitive tourism or other development, vandalism, bad caving practice, quarrying and drainage.

Farming, particularly land reclamation and drainage, can lead to infilling of features such as dolines and swallow holes, the levelling of landforms, and damaging turloughs and caves. Arterial drainage can change not only the landscape, but more significantly the water regime - the main distinctive characteristic of karst areas. Over-development and intrusive tourism can reduce the visual amenity value and pose a risk to the ecology of karst areas. Development where there has been inadequate attention to waste disposal can contaminate karst groundwater, and in the process affect the ecology. Irresponsible attitudes towards caves can lead to damage, the loss of the amenity and the educational, scientific and archaeological value of the caves.

A relatively recent threat has arisen from the demand for natural stone for gardens. Water-worn stone from limestone pavements is very attractive and in many places has been removed by heavy mechanical plant leaving a scarred surface which will take centuries of weathering before it is restored to its former condition. Stone should not be removed from any limestone pavement for garden use. Satisfactory substitutes should always be available from quarry waste or reconstituted stone. The Heritage Council and the Countryside Agency in Britain have noted the extent of trade in limestone pavement. Effective protective measures in Britain have put pressure on Irish pavement to meet the U.K. demand

What needs conserving?
Our objective must be to conserve the best examples of the main karst features. 'Best' can be considered at international, national and county levels. The main features include caves, limestone pavement, turloughs, sinking streams, karst springs and karst landscapes.

Achieving successful conservation
Achieving successful conservation involves: selecting sites worthy of conservation; identifying practical site management techniques; having a good legislative framework backed up by site monitoring; and increasing public awareness and support. The official recognition and designation of sites is only one step. Conservation has to be supported by the landowners who are custodians of these special areas for everybody, and the public must in turn support them and their efforts.

An example of the distinctive Burren flora (Bloody Cranesbill)
which thrives on the limestone pavement (David Drew)

The Geological Survey of Ireland has now undertaken this first step, as part of the Irish Geological Heritage Programme, which has the objective of conserving and promoting the best of Irish geology. Karst was chosen as the first geological theme because of its vulnerability and the ever-mounting threats. A new site selection process (building on a first listing of conservation sites from 1981) has been completed. The designation of sites will be completed by Dúchas, The Heritage Service, and those selected will become part of the national suite of Natural Heritage Areas. Local authorities and local groups could support the conservation of key national sites by selecting local or county karst heritage and educational sites and including them in their County Development Plans.

Choosing the sites is only the first and, arguably, the easiest step. Some sites may be so vulnerable that purchase of the site by the State may be necessary. However, most sites can be conserved by appropriate site management. For example, in the case of caves this could be in conjunction with the Speleological Union of Ireland, as the cavers' representative body. Cave conservation measures could include: access agreements, provision of durable walkways at popular caves, and in new caves for example, cavers could reduce their impact by taping a single route through fragile sections.

Mullaghmore Hill in the southeast of the Burren (David Drew)

The more the public wants and supports nature conservation, the easier it will be to achieve it. The concept of conservation can only be viable when it takes firm root in public opinion. Therefore, it is essential to see local people as partners/stakeholders in karst conservation. The implication of this is that priority must be given to publicity and education. This booklet is part of that process.