Browse the Karst Information Portal

Information about the Karst Information Portal

The Karst Information Portal is an open-access digital library linking scientists, managers, and explorers to quality information resources in order to inform research, to enhance collaboration, and to address policy decisions concerning karst environments.

What is Karst? Globally, more than a billion people depend on karst terrains for their water supplies. These environments host great biodiversity that is poorly understood and contains rare and endangered species. The spectacular geology of karst, as well as significant archaeological and paleontological resources, contributes to the overall scientific, aesthetic, cultural, and economic value of karst landscapes.

The Founding partners in this project include:

• National Cave & Karst Research Institute
• University of South Florida Libraries
• University Libraries, University of New Mexico
• Union Internationale de Spéléologie (UIS)

Under the leadership of librarian Todd Chavez, the USF Libraries manage and preserve/archive the digital library. This is the fifth iteration of KIP since its launch in June 2007. Each platform migration leads to enhancements in access and content and in the coming years, the KIP team will add a comprehensive mapping functionality that will allow readers to explore the database geospatially.