Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science

The definitive reference work on cave and karst science!

John Gunn, Editor

Key Features About the Editor Board of Advisors Publication Details/Order Online

Extensively illustrated with over 500 photographs, maps, diagrams, and tables, this unique reference source offers comprehensive coverage of this fascinating subject. The Encyclopedia's 350 alphabetically arranged entries cover a wide range of topics, including biospeleology (by organism and by habitat); geoscience; cave archaeology and human use of caves; cave art; cave and karst history; hydrology and groundwater; conservation and management; and exploration, equipment, and rescue.

Many entries are devoted to important sites across the world, from individual caves such as Mammoth Cave (the world's longest cave) and Krubera (one of the world's deepest), through key regions such as the Dinaric karst and the Gunung Mulu World Heritage Site. The book also features broader examinations of cave and karst geography within individual countries and continents.

Written by an international team of experts, the essays progress from general concepts toward deeper understanding, explaining jargon for the non-specialist. Each essay is fully referenced, with suggestions for further reading and cross-references to related articles. Thematic content lists and a comprehensive index facilitate easy searching and browsing.

A wide-ranging and up-to-date reference work, the Encyclopedia of Caves and Karst Science is an ideal source for students and researchers, as well as professional hydrogeologists, planners, environmental scientists, and conservationists. It is also a perfect starting point for cave explorers or any general reader with an interest in caves.

350 alphabetically arranged entries written by an international team of specialists
Extensively illustrated with 100 maps, 200 photographs, 160 line diagrams, 50 tables, and an 8-page color section
Explains complex concepts and jargon for cave enthusiasts as well as scientists in other disciplines
Essays are cross-referenced and contain suggestions for further reading

An active caver and cave scientist, John Gunn is Professor of Geographical & Environmental Sciences and Director of the Limestone Research Group at the University of Huddersfield, UK. He is joint editor of the journal Cave and Karst Science and Chairman of the International Geographical Union's Karst Commission. He is also a member of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) and the WCPA Cave and Karst Protection Task Force.

Andrew Chamberlain, Department of Archaeology and Prehistory, University of Sheffield, UK
Emily Davis, Speleobooks, New York, USA
Derek Ford, School of Geography and Geology, McMaster University, Canada
David Gillieson, School of Tropical Environment Studies & Geography, James Cook University, Australia
William R. Halliday, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Elery Hamilton-Smith, Chair IUCN/WCPA Working Group on Cave and Karst Protection, Australia
Alexander Klimchouk, Institute of Geological Sciences, National Academy of Science, Ukraine
David Lowe, British Geological Survey, UK
Art Palmer, Earth Science Department, State University of New York College at Oneonta, USA
Trevor Shaw, Karst Research Institute, Postojna, Slovenia
Boris Sket, Department of Biology, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Tony Waltham, Department of Civil Engineering, Nottingham Trent University, UK
Paul Williams, Department of Geography, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Paul Wood, Department of Geography, Loughborough University, UK

Select your region:
North and South America	Rest of the World

A Fitzroy Dearborn reference work, now published by Routledge