Karst Cave Geoheritage in Protected Areas: Characterisation and Proposals of Management of Deep Caves in the Picos de Europa National Park (Spain)

Caves are one of the most spectacular elements of karst with a high natural value, due to their singularity and high diversity of natural features. The Picos de Europa National Park (Spain) is a high mountain protected area that represents the highest density of deep caves of the World (12 deep caves/km2). This work analyses geoheritage linked to these caves as a part of broad projects to know and inventory the geological heritage of the Picos de Europa National Park. The methodology of work combines both geomorphological and geoheritage studies. Geomorphological study includes a caves inventory of the National Park, the characterization of the caves geomorphology and the selection of 14 caves with > 1-km depth as geosites, including an ice cave for its uniqueness. The geoheritage study is based on a four-forms system formed by selected indicators following the pressure-state-response (PSR) model. In the short term, management measures proposed for the deep karst caves of the National Park include enhancing the scientific research focused on karst and groundwater flow evolution and the palaeoclimatic variations of the region including ice cave monitoring. In the medium term, it should be adequate to re-design the public use system for the regulation and control of the visits to the caves and to emphasise the outstanding nature of the geoheritage linked to the endokarst of the National Park. Finally, in the long term, it would be necessary to design a visit system for expert speleological groups.