A strong and sincere link with local people is, in our opinion, the best way to perform speleological and scientific activities in karst. Such a conviction is based upon the very productive relationships that can be built when actively co-operating with local inhabitants. On our side, we need to actively transfer and properly disseminate the results of our studies, beginning with the schools; which means starting from the younger generations. We need to share with local people our knowledge, and convince them of the fragility of karst, so as to create an environmental awareness that facilitates a sustainable life in karst. Last but not least, we need to be ready to cope with natural hazards and the changes they cause, and to create an adequate resilience, that is the ability of the human system to adapt itself to the negative consequences of a likely disaster. From the above considerations, during the last years a new approach was followed in the caving and scientific research expeditions in the Alburni Mountains (Campania region, southern Italy). This new approach strongly deviates from the old approach of isolated explorations and activities. As the Alburni Exploration Team (the association joining all the cavers working in the area) we started to involve the local population in our work. A number of activities were proposed towards this aim: the organization of a 1st level course of speleology, conferences and meetings at the local municipalities, establishing contacts with the national park existing in the area, and the management of the two show caves therein present, and carrying out experimental scientific activities such as dye tracing. In this article we illustrate the motivations behind a change in the approach and describe the initial obtained results. We then look to the future with the main goal being to safeguard the beauty of the Alburni Mountains for future generations, and to continue surveying new caves and to enhance further understanding of this area.
Increasing people’s awareness about the importance of karst landscapes and aquifers: an experience from southern Italy
PARISE, Mario;
2014-01-01
Abstract
A strong and sincere link with local people is, in our opinion, the best way to perform speleological and scientific activities in karst. Such a conviction is based upon the very productive relationships that can be built when actively co-operating with local inhabitants. On our side, we need to actively transfer and properly disseminate the results of our studies, beginning with the schools; which means starting from the younger generations. We need to share with local people our knowledge, and convince them of the fragility of karst, so as to create an environmental awareness that facilitates a sustainable life in karst. Last but not least, we need to be ready to cope with natural hazards and the changes they cause, and to create an adequate resilience, that is the ability of the human system to adapt itself to the negative consequences of a likely disaster. From the above considerations, during the last years a new approach was followed in the caving and scientific research expeditions in the Alburni Mountains (Campania region, southern Italy). This new approach strongly deviates from the old approach of isolated explorations and activities. As the Alburni Exploration Team (the association joining all the cavers working in the area) we started to involve the local population in our work. A number of activities were proposed towards this aim: the organization of a 1st level course of speleology, conferences and meetings at the local municipalities, establishing contacts with the national park existing in the area, and the management of the two show caves therein present, and carrying out experimental scientific activities such as dye tracing. In this article we illustrate the motivations behind a change in the approach and describe the initial obtained results. We then look to the future with the main goal being to safeguard the beauty of the Alburni Mountains for future generations, and to continue surveying new caves and to enhance further understanding of this area.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
