RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CAVE MANAGEMENT IN THE LEEUWIN NATURALISTE NATIONAL PARK

"CLAP - Worth a round of applause"

Anne Wood

Abstract

A brief overview of the history of cave use in the Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park, and the "Cave and Abseil Permit System" which was introduced in 1992 is followed by a review of changes to the operation of the Permit System. The most recent is the introduction of CALM's Cave Leader Course. The course focuses on minimal impact caving, group leadership, and safety. Since the introduction of the course there has been a significant reduction in the number of people able to book cave permits. A decrease in both visitor impacts and cave accidents could also be expected.

INTRODUCTION

Background

The Leeuwin–Naturaliste Ridge in the extreme SW of Western Australia, is a band of aeolian calcarenite deposited over Precambrian granitic gneiss. The aeolian calcarenite is weakly consolidated limestone, which typically has a caprock layer at the surface. It is characterised by numerous solution pipes, which may intersect caves, extensive calcite speleothem development, and caves, which often show extensive collapse. (Jennings, 1968)

The area of limestone is about 120km in length, up to 8km wide, and is up to 150m deep. In the southern half of the ridge, where the limestone is wider and deeper, nearly all of the limestone is covered by native forest, mainly National Park. However, there are extensive areas of privately owned land in the northern half of the ridge. CALM is the land manager for the larger part of the karst area. See Figure 1.

Threats

A large part of the karst of the L-N Ridge and its catchment (though this has not been precisely defined) is situated below native forest and coastal heath. Consequently, the karst does not suffer the major impacts found in many karst areas. However increasing development, both agricultural and urban may impact the karst. The most significant threat has been that of visitor impacts.

Logging was very active in the late 19th and early to mid 20th centuries, particularly in the Boranup Forest area. Agricultural practices, mainly in some of the northern areas, and effluent disposal in areas of coastal urban development are potential threats. More recently, lime sand mining has emerged as another potential threat.

The largest problem is that of human visitation to the caves. The Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park is a three hour drive from Perth, which makes it very accessible. The region is extremely popular for many reasons - beaches, surfing, walking, wineries, forest, fine food, arts and crafts etc. From the 1960's on, there has been an increasing number of people exploring the caves of the L-N Ridge. Cavers, school groups, scouts, "Adventure" companies, surfers when there is no surf, and locals, have all added to the numbers.

The most obvious visitor impacts are damage to speleothems; erosion around cave entrances and at cliff tops; erosion and sediment movement within caves; and damage to animal habitats. Erosion and breakdown of the limestone is a particularly severe problem in these caves due to the softness of the rock. Erosion of soil cones and sandy areas is also of concern. Between 1977 when Giants Cave was surveyed, and 1993 when a ladder was installed to bypass the rockpile, 53 cubic metres of soil had been removed from the rockpile - all by foot traffic! (Bell, P. & Wood, P. pers comm.)

Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park Management Plan 1989–1999

This management plan recognised caves as an area requiring management initiatives. Amongst the main recommendations were:

Action 6.1:
Establish a Cave Management Committee jointly with CALM, Speleological Groups and other appropriate bodies to oversee cave management.

Action 6.2:
Implement a permit system for visitors to wild caves.

CMAC

The Caves Management Advisory Committee first met in October 1989 and continues to meet approximately six times per year. CMAC has been and continues to be a very successful and productive advisory group. CMAC has contributed to the development of the "Cave and Abseil Permit System", and the formation of the Cave Leadership Assessment Panel, as well as many other initiatives. Initially CMAC was composed of representatives of Dept of CALM, Tourism Association and ASF affiliated caving groups. It was expanded to include representatives of the main user groups - commercial operators, schools, scouts and the Defense Dept.

Permit System

Under the permit system, which was introduced in 1992, entry to any cave in Calm-managed land in the LN Ridge requires a permit (except for Calgardup and Giants Caves). Caves were classified into "Adventure Caves" and "Restricted Access Caves".

The majority of caves were placed in the "Restricted Access" category and are available only to ASF caving club members and researchers. Access to these caves is largely unchanged from the system developed by the speleological clubs. The maximum group size is between four and eight, and the maximum number of trips per year varies depending on the particular site.

The focus of this paper is on those caves originally classified as "Adventure Caves". These are the caves available to commercial operators, school groups, scouts and others. This group was further divided into:

Class 1: No permit required, uncontrolled access.

Class 2: Horizontal entry.

Class 3: Vertical entry requiring the use of a caving ladder or rope.

MODIFICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PERMIT SYSTEM

Some minor changes have been made to the operation of the "Cave and Abseil Permit System".

The most significant changes have been in the operation of Calgardup and Giants Caves, the trackmarking of self-guide caves, and the introduction of Calm's Cave Leader Course.

Calgardup and Giants Caves

Calgardup and Giants Caves are now locked and entry is available after payment of an entry fee. Staff ensure visitors are appropriately equipped and briefed prior to their entry into the cave. Helmets and lights are supplied. Infrastructure has been installed to protect the caves from further damage, and in some cases to provide safer access. Extensive rehabilitation has been carried out. Revenue collected is used exclusively for management of the caves.

Access to Calgardup and Giants Caves is available by:

  1. Public entry within normal opening times.
  2. Accredited leaders via the permit system.

Trackmarking

Nearly all of the self-guide caves have been trackmarked. This has been carried out in conjunction with CMAC. Track marking follows the system developed by Poulter (1994). In some instances, the route is indicated with single reflectors up to 10m apart, whereas in more sensitive areas the track is defined with fishing line and reflectors on either side. In many cases, sections of caves have been excluded. Where a section of cave that was previously well visited has been closed off a small sign is installed to indicate the reason for the closure e.g. fauna habitat; dangerous. Visitors to these caves once were able to explore any area physically accessible to them. They now follow a clearly marked route.

CLAP

Due to concerns regarding continuing high levels of damage to the "self-guide" caves, CMAC recommended that a more formal system of leader accreditation be developed to replace the self-accreditation scheme. Initially, the only requirement to become registered as a cave leader in the "self-guide" caves was to complete a form. Over 400 leaders were registered via this self-assessment system.

CLAP (The Cave Leadership Assessment Panel) was formed in 1995. After a slow start, regular meetings began in 1998. During 1998 a course structure and manual were developed. This was followed by a pilot course in January 1999. Experienced leaders from the outdoor recreation industry and caving clubs attended the course and provided feedback. Extensive modifications were made as a result of this feedback and the first course was offered in May 1999.

CALM's Cave Leadership Assessment Panel is comprised of people with relevant technical, training and teaching expertise and experience and elected community members. It includes representatives from CALM, West Australian Speleological Group (WASG), Speleological Research Group of WA (SRGWA), Cavers Leeuwin (CLINC), Adventure Industry Association, Outdoor Education, and Community Groups.

The course is run over three days. The first day consists of theory and group exercises. This is followed by two days of caving. Assessment is by observation of the candidate during the course, a theory exam at the end of the three day course, and a practical assessment, which involves observation of the candidate leading a caving trip. This is carried out at a later date by arrangement with an examiner.

Prerequisites:

Course Outline:

Day One:

Geology and cave development, cave biology, paleontology and archaeology, cave conservation, cave and abseil permit system, group leadership, risk management, accident protocol.

Days Two and Three (caving)

Trip planning, equipment checks, emergency plans, first aid kit, permits, insurance, logbook etc, briefing
Leadership: communication, instruction and demonstration, group management, monitoring safety, environmental interpretation and awareness, debriefing.

Days two and three involve visits to Calgardup (Window Extension), Nannup, Mill and Dingo Caves. The emphasis is on group management and cave conservation, plus appropriate references to material covered on day one. The maximum group size for the cave visits is six people – five course participants and one instructor.

Cave Leader Accreditation has been a prerequisite for cave permits issued from 30 January 30 2000 (excluding caving club trips) To maintain currency of the Cave Leader Accreditation, a leader is required to maintain currency of their First Aid Qualification and lead a minimum of six caving trips during a year.

CALM's Cave Leader Course covers endorsed units of competency from the Australian National Training Authority. Most of the units are at the level of Certificate III in Outdoor Recreation, however the caving units are only at the level of Certificate II. ORCA is developing modules of competency units for various outdoor activities, but the caving module has not been developed at this time. It is expected that CALM's Cave Leader Course will not fulfill the "caving" requirements to the level of the future modules as it does not include abseiling and roping skills. Instead these areas are covered by the Ministry of Sport and Recreation's Abseil Instructors Course. The caves of the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge are relatively easy to negotiate. Vertical pitches are generally found only at the entrance.

In the future it is likely that an increasing number of people will obtain accreditation from elsewhere. When this eventuates, it is expected that these people will be exempt from part of CALM's course. They would still be expected to participate in the theory day, as this is when the operation of the permit system, trackmarking, and other information particularly relevant to the Leeuwin–Naturaliste Ridge, is presented. Environmental impacts and cave conservation are related to the lectures and discussions where-ever possible.

Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge

RESULTS

Table 1. Cave visitation: number of people

19931994199519961997199819992000
WI 16 45604852312031192655378134022723

Brides

42714191258725792347274829601831

Giants Pipe

33394395268527501865237019791270
Calgardup Pipe closedclosed264006477661291575
Calgardup ctre freegated170138228853015
Nannup 739859760656630907793553
Golgotha 97710598196287691221997571
Dingo 355422348287299301360282
Mill 558597468298460529323368
Arumvale P. 23215012725921916812666
Block 9611360721011416171
Quinninup Lake 112736253991164126
Mordang Dar 10148527268543165
Blackboy Hol. 12495170691332458
Total 154641685411454113801040013219124398424

 

Table 2. Giants Cave Visitation

197819881992199819992000
Abseil Permits    2,3701,9791,270
Cave Permits    1,7762,2691,420
Public Entry    NA4,1385,207
Total 78617,00035,0008,3867,897

Although these incidents are of concern, they do not indicate that the estimated 35000 people per year, who accessed Giants freely in 1992, have now moved to other sites. Further information is available from a monitoring programme carried out by WASG. Hidden monitors installed at various sites have shown very few instances of non-compliance with the permit system.

Table 3. Margaret River SES Cave Rescues 1976–2000

 1976–19801981–19851986–19901991–19951996–2000
Giants10151
Brides21020
Others21021
Tourist B.00122
Total522114

THE FUTURE

CMAC has instigated a programme of revisiting each of the sites to examine the current situation and advise on any changes. This process re-examines the issues of group size and frequency, trackmarking, areas of the cave considered dangerous or particularly sensitive, rehabilitation required, and any other issues considered relevant.

This ongoing assessment of the sites needs to be supplemented with a regular monitoring programme. This could include:

Some aspects of this monitoring are being carried out at some sites, particularly Calgardup and Giants Caves. Ideally it would be extended to include more of the self-guide sites on a more regular basis than at present.

Decisions on group size and frequency have been based on estimations of possible visitor impacts, rather than monitoring. Track erosion is likely to be the limiting factor at many of the sites. There is extensive erosion in some areas, but no data to indicate whether the problem has been caused prior to limitations being imposed, or if erosion is continuing at an unacceptable rate.

The SRG has been carrying out extensive rehabilitation in the Calcified Tree Root Extension of Calgardup Cave. This extension was gated in 1994 and then closed to all access other than work trips in 1998. It is planned to re-open this extension towards the end of 2001. CALM and SRG are conducting a monitoring programme for a year prior to the re-opening. Temperature, humidity, and CO2 are being recorded by a data logger. Monitoring will continue after the extension is re-opened.

CONCLUSION

The last 10 years have seen an enormous change in cave management in the Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park. Over 10 years ago, there were no controls on cave visitation apart from the self-imposed limitations implemented by caving clubs. In many cave areas this may not present a problem, due to relatively low numbers of cave visitors. However, in the southwest of WA, escalating visitor numbers to the "wild" caves were causing unacceptable impacts.

The permit system has been in place for over eight years. Most "self-guide" caves have been trackmarked, and many have been gated. More recently, Leader Accreditation has been introduced. The emphasis has been on education. This has been an ongoing process, via the permit system, CMAC, newsletters, and more recently the Cave Leader Course.

There has been a decrease in the numbers of leaders, and the number of cave visitors in the last eight years, particularly since the requirement for cave leader accreditation. There appears to be a high level of compliance to track marking and visitor impacts appear to be decreasing, though a more quantitative measurement is needed.

No, you may no longer take your carton of beer, dog, and campfire into Giants Cave. Yes, the "wilderness" experience is decreased by the infrastructure in Calgardup and Giants Caves. But take a look at the new calcite deposits, tree roots and drip holes; and without the infrastructure there could be no further access to these two caves due to the massive erosion caused by foot traffic. The "hardening" of Calgardup and Giants Caves will enable continuing access for relatively large numbers.

The trackmarking installed at various sites can also be said to decrease the sense of discovery, but without these measures there would be little left. Groups looking for an emphasis on "adventure" could be better suited to a less sensitive environment.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to CMAC and CLAP. Without the valuable contributions of volunteers (past and present) the caves of the Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park would be far worse off than they are today.

References

Department of Conservation and Land Management (1989), Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park Management Plan 1989–1999, CALM, W.A.

Jennings, J.N. (1968). Syngenetic karst in Australia. In Williams, P.W. & Jennings, J.N. Contributions to the study of karst Australian National University, Dept of Geography, Publication G/5: Canberra, 41–110.

Poulter, N. (1994). Protecting Caves From People (2), In The Australian Caver, Australian Speleological Federation: 137, 17–26.

Webb, R. (1993). Conservation Trips of 1992–3 and Some Permit System Statistics, in The Western Caver, Western Australian Speleological Group: 33, 15–20.

Webb, R (1989). Adventure Cave Destruction Through Management - Some Hard Facts, in Cave Management in Australasia V111