Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Atmospheric and Earth Science
Committee Chair
Robert Griffin
Committee Member
John Christy
Research Advisor
Lee Ellenburg
Subject(s)
Cave ecology--Alabama, Karst hydrology, Drought forecasting, Ecological disturbances
Abstract
Cave ecosystems depend on stable groundwater inputs, yet no standard method exists for detecting subterranean drought. This study develops a framework to define and monitor drought in karst cave systems by adapting surface-based hydrologic indicators. Using long-term water level data from Bobcat Cave in northern Alabama, we identified drought events through percentile-based thresholds and evaluated multiple surface metrics, including the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and deep-layer soil moisture, as predictors of cave drought severity. Random Forest models supported the selection of key indicators and informed classification thresholds. These thresholds were then applied across the Middle Tennessee Elk watershed to map seasonal drought exposure and intersect with species-specific breeding periods. Vulnerability analyses highlighted potential ecological risks to taxa such as the Alabama Cave Shrimp and Southern Cavefish. This work establishes a transferable approach for identifying subterranean drought and supports conservation planning in sensitive karst environments.
Recommended Citation
Deal, Shaelyn, "Subterranean drought classification and ecological risk in karst systems" (2025). Theses. 780.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/780