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CAVE PROTECTION |
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The protected areas are of crucial importance for the preservation of biodiversity and bring significant benefits to the human society. Achieving the Natura 2000 Network at the level of the EU means an important contribution to the conservation of natural habitats of wild flora and fauna on the European territory. Caves represent a fragile patrimony which is confronted with threats without any precedent due to the uncontrolled in time development of the inhabited places, the tendency of excessive use of natural resources, of pollution and of wild tourism. The European Speleological Federation (FSUE) would like to put emphasis on the fact that caves, as protected areas, will only survive, if they are considered as European patrimony and if their planning and management handle the existing pressures. This speleological and natural heritage is worth to be preserved for the next generations as it combines the natural and historical past with our present. Caves are worth protecting ...- geotopes It is a hidden European heritage, as caves are not visible to everyone and in most cases only accessible for speleologists. Only they can provide information about this ecosystem and thus they are the first address to help preserving this part of our European patrimony. Caves are only one part of complex system of karst or pseudokarst areas, which is characterised by unique geo(morpho)logical, hydrological and biological features. It is necessary, at this moment, to act in the direction of change, in the way of connecting the caves as well distinctive sites, within European concepts regarding protected areas. Furthermore to sensitise for the importance of caves in environmental protection and research, in order to preserve the intactness of this natural and cultural heritage and prevent damages.
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