Jewel Cave, South Dakota

By:Gabrielle Pierce

Overview

2nd largest cave in world

Filled with crystals (hence the name)

144.02 miles long

Known for its natural beauty

Geologic Origin

Formed by circulation of acid-rich waterPrecambrian-era igneous and metamorphic rocksShallow sea covered areaSea advanced and receded. Sediment and calcium built up60 million years ago Black Hills began to form

BiomeLies beneath a forested area.

Black Hills of South Colorado

Part of Deciduous Forest Biome

ClimateVery hot summers and very cold winters

Monthly average temperatures range from a high of 86.5 degrees to a low of 1.9 degrees.

Wildlife (Animals) Bats

Rats

Springtails

Protozoa

Other microbes

Elk

White-tailed deer

•Mule deer

•Rabbits

•Red squirrels

•Birds

Wildlife (Plants)Pasqueflower

Western salsify

Gunnison's mariposa lily

Pale-purple coneflower

Wild bergamot

Ponderosa pines

•Wavyleaf thistle

Why should we preserve Jewel Cave?

Aesthetics

Natural Beauty

CO2 sink

Brings in tourism

Adds diversity

Habitat

HistoryDiscovered by Frank and Albert Michaud in 1900

Has been used for tourism

Explored since the 1900’s

Crystal harvesting

AgenciesU.S. National Park Service protects the cave

ThreatsIncrease moisture

Forest fires

Weeds

Water quality

SolutionsPlant grasses

“Weed Crew” pull up weeds and their roots.

Monitor activity above the cave

Works Citedhttp://www.nps.gov/jeca/

http://www.ocs.orst.edu/pub/maps/Precipitation/Total/States/SD/sd.gif

www.nationalgeographic.com