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In November of 2002, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife program (in Kentucky) protected a biologically significant cave known as Adams Cave. The cave was inventoried prior to gating for fauna, all garbage removed and a specially designed steel exclusion gate erected. The steel exclusion gate is expected to stop future vandalism and human disturbance. This project could not have been completed without the help of other cooperating partners. These partners included the private landowners, Eastern Kentucky University faculty, The Wildlife Society's EKU Student Chapter, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Madison County Solid Waste and the National Speleological Society's Blue Grass Grotto. Adams Cave is located in Madison County approximately 6 miles SW of Richmond, Kentucky. The inside of the cave varies in height from 5 feet to 40 feet. The area in the cave that can be explored extends over 1500 feet in length with several other crawl ways. There is also a small wet weather stream that runs through the cave. The cave has experienced extensive human vandalism for many years. Adam Cave is significant because it is inhabited by two species of beetles that are candidates for listing under the Endangered Species Act, as well as other species of wildlife (e.g. bats and salamanders). Both species of beetles are endemic to Adams Cave.
The owners of Adams Cave donated the cave and one acre of land surrounding the cave entrance, to Southern Conservation Corporation (SCC), a non-profit land trust, for long term management and protection of the cave. Adjacent lots of this size are valued at approximately $24,000 per lot. In addition, the Kentucky Field Office of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) developed a Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA) with the SCC to ensure long term protection of the beetles precluding the need for federal listing. Adams Cave has an excellent educational outreach component as it pertains to the conservation of the very unique karst systems in Kentucky. This is due to the close proximity to several elementary and middle schools (< 5 miles) and the active participation of local speleological societies in the Madison County area. With the assistance of Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, the area outside the cave was restored to native grasses and trees endemic to the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. Vegetation planted includes burr oaks, blue ash, little blue stem, big blue stem, side oats, gramma and various wildflowers.
Additional Biological Information: Adams Cave is very unique as it contains two federal candidate species. These species are known as the Greater Adams cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus pholeter) and Lesser Adams cave beetle (Pseudanophthalmus cataryctos). These species were described by Krekler (1973) based upon specimens collected by Tom Barr and S.B. Peck in 1964. The Pseudanophthalmus genus of cave beetles are small, eyeless and reddish-brown in color. Their body length is 3.0-8.0 mm and have identifiable variations in their body shape, particularly with males. They are a predatory ground beetle of the family Carabidae. Many species are common, however, there are several species which are extremely rare. This is the only cave system in the vicinity and these species occur in no other known location. Both species are thought to have evolved exclusively in Adams Cave. Both species are classified as a candidate species, with a listing priority of 5. Because of excessive human disturbance this species is in danger of extirpation. This cave system was classified by Dr. Tom Barr, (retired, University of Kentucky), Eastern Kentucky University biologists, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, and the USFWS as a unique habitat in need of protection. Specimens have been collected by biologists as recently as 2001 and many of the beetles' prey items are still present in the cave. By opening the cave to air flow, allowing natural detritus to re-enter the cave, and managing the outside surrounding area to ensure no pollutants enter the cave, there is a high probability that the species may be preserved. Hopefully, implementing these restoration measures will preclude the need to list these unique cave dwelling species. Other fauna recorded in Adams Cave include two species of bats, three salamander species, one cave crayfish species and other forms of invertebrates.
Historical Significance: Six salt peter vats dating back to 1810-12 are present in Adams Cave, and it is suspected as the first location in Kentucky that gunpowder was produced.
*Additional information can be provided by Brent Harrel, PFW State Coordinator. |
