Comprehensive Biodiversity Inventory and Hydrological Analysis of the Key Cave System at Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge

Comprehensive Biodiversity Inventory and Hydrological Analysis of the Key Cave System at Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge Abstract Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge is home to federally listed species and has potential to be home to a diverse ecosystem. This project aims to understand the species that are found in the cave through a biological inventory. Beyond determining the species present, we will also aim to better understand the abiotic conditions in the cave to assess habitat suitability and potential risks to species in the system. This work will entail monitoring abiotic data and conducting dye traces to determine the extent of land surface that may impact the aquatic habitat of the cave. This project provides an avenue to refine methodologies for an interdisciplinary approach to understand subterranean habitat through combining biological and hydrological data. These methodologies, once refined, will provide a cutting-edge technique to study groundwater systems in Kentucky and beyond.