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Highlights

  • Invertebrate species distribution varies with bat feces and tourism-induced disturbance
  • Bat feces and guano are key factors influencing invertebrate distribution in Ryusen-do Cave
  • Lampenflora growth may negatively affect troglomorphic invertebrates, but may benefit non-troglomorphic species
  • Lampenflora impacts were evident even in a well-managed show cave

Abstract

Subterranean spaces, such as caves with openings to the surface, represent unique environments characterized by limited resources derived from photosynthetic primary production. Consequently, organic inputs from organisms inhabiting above- and belowground habitats, such as bats, play a crucial role in maintaining cave ecosystems. However, in show caves converted into tourist attractions, environmental changes have progressed without sufficient ecological assessment. One important factor is the impact of photosynthetic organisms colonizing around artificial lights, known as lampenflora, on cave ecosystems. Lampenflora growth may influence invertebrate distribution and resource use; however, its impact on both aspects has been poorly evaluated. In this study, we investigated the effects of lampenflora growth on invertebrate distribution and resource use in a well-managed Japanese show cave, Ryusen-do, while considering the influence of bat fecal deposition. Our generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) revealed that bat feces and guano are the primary factors determining invertebrate distribution within the cave. We also suggest that lampenflora growth negatively affected troglomorphic species but may benefit non-troglomorphic species by providing habitat structure and additional food resources through detritus. Stable isotope analyses further supported differences in the food resources used by invertebrates between tourist and non-tourist areas. Because the impact of lampenflora was detected even in the well-managed Ryusen-do Cave, we suggest that less well-managed show caves may experience more severe ecological impacts due to lampenflora invasion. Our findings highlight the importance of evaluating and managing lampenflora as part of show cave conservation.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5038/1827-806X.ijs2577

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.

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