Slovene and Chinese karstologists join studies from the chosen parts of diverse Yunnan karst, from topical cone karst on south and stone forest on center to mountain karst and high plateau karst of Tibet in the north. Presented are results of research in the karst on stone forests and other types of karst surfaces, soil erosion, the formation of tufa, vegetation, the development, age and sediment of karst caves, karst waters, epikarst fauna and the protection of the natural heritage.

Knjiga povzema rezultate znanstvenega sodelovanja med Inštitutom za raziskovanje krasa ZRC SAZU, Yunnanskim geografskim inštitutom in Geološkim inštitutom Kitajske akademije znanosti. Raziskave so potekale na območju v bližini Liupanshuija v zahodnem delu province Guizhou, na kraških planotah med Guizhouom in Yunnanom ter v Lunanskem kamnitem gozdu in kopastem krasu Xichoua v Yunnanu. Predstavljene so splošne značilnosti območja, litološka in strukturna zgradba ter geomorfološke, speleološke in hidrogeološke značilnosti, pa tudi različni tipi izrabe tal in njihovi vplivi na okolje.

This book presents the latest advances in karstology by researchers at the ZRC SAZU Karst Research Institute, Slovenia – home of Classical Karst. It features interdisciplinary investigations carried out on the karst surface, subsurface, caves, and associated waters. It covers various topics, such as analysis of karst processes, including the mineralogical and lithological characteristics of sediments and carbonate rocks; structural geological mapping; detecting the old traces of paleokarst; the formation of karst surfaces in a variety of types of rock and conditions; and the evolution of karst, which can aid in dating sediments, and in tracing aquifers using artificial and natural tracers. In addition, the book provides detailed information on the use and development of various research methods, ranging from comprehensive field research, long-term measurements, and laboratory analyses to computer and laboratory modeling. Integrating karst geology, geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, speleobiology, and microbiology research, these methods provide readers with a far deeper understanding of karst terrains.

This is the first study of the karst areas of China to be carried out by a Western geomorphologist, and almost all the sources are from Chinese works, as yet unpublished in the West. Karst areas are sensitive to environmental influences and Chinese attempts to deal with these are discussed here, as are Chinese methods of studying karst since they differ somewhat from those in the West. Finally, the author compares karst areas in Europe and elsewhere with those in China. The book is illustrated by numerous diagrams from Chinese sources as well as the author's own photographs.

Slovene and Chinese karstologists join studies from the chosen parts of diverse Yunnan karst, from topical cone karst on south and stone forest on center to mountain karst and high plateau karst of Tibet in the north. Presented are results of research in the karst on stone forests and other types of karst surfaces, soil erosion, the formation of tufa, vegetation, the development, age and sediment of karst caves, karst waters, epikarst fauna and the protection of the natural heritage.

Encyclopedia of Caves, Third Edition, provides detailed background information to anyone with a serious interest in caves. This includes students, both undergraduate and graduate, in the earth, biological and environmental sciences, and consultants, environmental scientists, land managers and government agency staff whose work requires them to know something about caves and the biota that inhabit them. Caves touch on many scientific interests in geology, climate science, biology, hydrology, archaeology, and paleontology, as well as more popular interests in sport caving and cave exploration. Case studies and descriptions of specific caves selected for their special features and public interest are also included. This book will appeal to these audiences by providing in-depth essays written by expert authors chosen for their expertise in their assigned subject. - Features 14 new chapters and 13 completely rewritten chapters - Contains beautifully illustrated content, with more than 500 color images of cave life and features - Provides extensive bibliographies that allow readers to access their subject of interest in greater depth