26th International Karstological School "Show Caves and Science"; Postojna

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26th International Karstological School "Show Caves and Science"; Postojna, June 18th to 22nd, 2018.

26th International Karstological School "Classical Karst"
SHOW CAVES AND SCIENCE
(on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Postojna Cave System's discovery)
Postojna, June 18th to 22nd 2018
Organised by
Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU
FIRST CIRCULAR
Since 1993, the International Karstological School "Classical Karst" (IKS) has been organised annually,
covering many aspects of karst research. The basic idea of the School has been to present the state?
of?the?art in selected topics and promote discussion between participants via a set of lectures, poster
session and related field trips to the Slovenian Classical Karst area. The IKS is organized for all
generations of karst researchers, students, managers of show caves, and other people interested in
karst phenomena.
Main topic
In 1818, an extensive cave system beyond the Postojna Cave entrance chamber was discovered.
Touristic use of this millions?of?years old, relatively stable, highly preserved and fragile underground
environment started just a year later. During the following decades, the first research was carried
out, related especially to cave surveying, paleontology and biospeleology. Nowadays, we are facing
two centuries of various interventions and consequences left by 38 million visitors and different
management styles during six historical geopolitical changes that included prosperity and crises,
thoughtful (monitored) and inattentive activities, and good and bad practices. Need for sustainable
use developed gradually with problems related to lightning, transportation, damage to speleothems,
impact on cave animals as well as changes of cave climate. After two centuries of touristic use, we
have an excellent opportunity to share both the good and bad practices of adapting caves for tourism
worldwide and to evaluate the role of science. One can say that show caves are economically
sacrificed natural phenomena but at least due to their extraordinary size, aesthetics and accessibility
there is necessity for science?guided management that will allow their continued preservation and
attractiveness for the next centuries.
The main aim of the 26th IKS is to present and discuss a wide range of speleological issues addressed
by different scientific and technical disciplines that are deeply involved in sustainable show cave
management (morphology, biology, meteorology and nature conservation), the monitoring of
natural conditions and tourist?related activities in show caves. Of course, we will visit exemplar show
caves to examine issues in the field. Oral presentations will consist of invited keynote lectures
followed by presentations of selected outstanding research by participants. As the number of
lectures is limited, other contributions (even if they are not strictly related to the selected topic) can
be presented as posters.
Programme outline
Morning Afternoon Evening
Monday, June 18th Sessions Sessions
Poster session
Ice breaker
Mysteries of karst
Tuesday, June 19th Sessions Sessions
Field trip
Wednesday, June 20th Sessions Field trip
Thursday, June 21st Whole day excursion Gala reception  
Friday, June 22nd Whole day excursion
Saturday, 23rd Caving (optional)
Registration
Registration will be open till April 30th, 2018. Registration will be online only. Link to registration
form, payment instructions and other information will be given on the website: http://iks.zrc?
sazu.si/en/.
The registration fee is 175 EUR. It includes conference materials, excursions, refreshments during
coffee breaks, participation at gala reception and at all excursions.
The fee for the undergraduate students is 75 EUR. Day pass fee is 40 EUR (max. 3 days) and 20 EUR
for undergraduate students (max. 3 days) and includes all materials of the IKS as well as all activities
and receptions for that day.
The official language of the event is English and Slovene. The abstracts must be submitted in English
at registration. The participant's preferred mode of presentation (i.e. poster/oral) will be considered
by the organiser. Selected papers will be published in Acta Carsologica.
The Second Circular including the detailed programme of the IKS will available by mid of May 2018.
Support
Slovenian National Commission for UNESCO, Scientific Research Centre SAZU, Slovenian Research
Agency, Zavod Znanje, ?kocjan Caves Park and Postojnska jama d.d.
Organiser
Karst Research Institute ZRC SAZU
Titov trg 2
SI ? 6230 Postojna
T: (+386) 5 70 019 00
F: (+386) 5 70 019 99
E?mail: iks@zrc?sazu.si
Web: http://izrk.zrc?sazu.si/en
Contact person: Dr. Mitja Prelovsek (mitja.prelovsek@zrc?sazu.si)
 
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