Hi, you're listening to cultivate
curiosity, a.
Podcast that inspires the next generation
to stay curious.
Cultivate curiosity is brought to you by
the Emerald Coast Science Center, a
nonprofit.
Interactive science museum and steam
educational facility in Fort Walton Beach,
Florida.
This podcast is perfect for anyone curious
about the world we live in because
you never know what we'll talk about
next.
Hi, my name is Jacie and I'm
the social media coordinator here at the
Emerald Coast Science center.
Today's episode of cultivate curiosity
dives into a small but significant
incident that unfolded in one of the
world's most remarkable multiple
underground ecosystems, the Carlsbad
Caverns.
You may have heard about the Cheetos
bag incident, which set off a chain
reaction in the caverns delicate
environment.
While it sounds like a minor mishap,
it led to a fascinating exploration of
biomes, ecosystems, and how human actions
can ripple through nature.
Before we jump into the details of
this incident, lets take a moment to
appreciate what Carlsbad Caverns is a
massive underground cave system located in
the Guadalupe mountains of New Mexico.
Formed millions of years ago by sulfuric
acid dissolving the limestone rock, this
cavernous biome is home to some of
the most unique organisms on earth.
What makes caves like Carlsbad special is
that they are highly sensitive, closed
systems where even the smallest change can
have significant consequences.
Now, let's go over what happened.
A visitor, like so many of us
probably just enjoying their snack,
accidentally dropped a bag of cheetos in
the big room, Carlsbad's largest chamber.
Because of the caves high humidity, the
Cheetos bag softened quickly, creating a
perfect environment for fungal growth.
Within a short time, microbes began to
thrive on the materials in the bag.
These microorganisms wouldn't normally
grow in such a nutrient poor environment,
but thanks to the new food source,
they started to spread across the floor
and walls of the cave.
And it didn't stop there.
Insects like cave crickets, mites, and
spiders were drawn to this new food
source, forming a temporary food web.
The whole incident illustrates how even a
tiny piece of human waste can affect
a fragile ecosystem.
But to really understand the science
behind this, we first need to dive
into the concept of a biome.
So what is a biome and why
is it important?
Biomes are large communities of plants,
animals, and microorganisms that have
adapted to live in specific environments.
Examples include deserts, forests, and
marine ecosystems.
Each biome has its own unique climate,
geography and resources that determine
what can live and grow there.
But not all biomes are visible from
the surface.
Like the caves that form underground.
Cave biomes are particularly fascinating
because life in these ecosystems is often
isolated from the outside world.
With no sunlight, low food availability,
and a stable climate, the organisms in
these caves have adapted in extraordinary
ways.
Theyve evolved to survive with minimal
nutrients.
And any sudden changes in their
environment can have a huge impact.
In Carlsbad caverns, nutrient levels are
naturally low, and the organisms living
there are used to surviving in this
harsh, resource poor setting.
When something like processed food, rich
in carbs, fats, and preservatives, gets
introduced, it essentially acts as a
fertilizer.
Microbes and fungi that would normally
remain dormant or or grow slowly suddenly
have everything they need to thrive, and
they grow rapidly.
That growth can spread quickly, and if
left unchecked, it can lead to lasting
damage to the cave's delicate ecosystem.
You might be wondering, how did these
microbes grow so quickly in the cave?
The answer lies in the cave's stable
conditions.
Carlsbad caverns maintains a high level of
humidity and a consistent temperature,
which means that once a nutrient source
is introduced, microbes can grow without
the environmental fluctuations that would
usually slow their development.
In fact, within just a few hours,
mold had begun to spread on nearby
surfaces, creating an entire micro
ecosystem of its own.
This is why the park rangers acted
so quickly, even though they were able
to clean it up in about 20
minutes.
The long term effects could have been
far worse if it had gone unnoticed.
The ripple effect of even a small
incident like this is why we emphasize
the importance of following guidelines
when visiting natural environments,
especially those as delicate as caves.
You've probably heard the phrase leave no
trace.
This principle is crucial when exploring
fragile ecosystems.
It means packing out everything you bring
with you, whether it's food, drink
containers, or even small pieces of trash.
In environments like Carlsbad caverns,
even biodegradable materials can cause
harm because they introduce nutrients that
wouldn't normally be present.
Now, let's zoom out a little bit.
Why is it so important to preserve
cave ecosystems?
For one, they are home to species
that exist nowhere else on earth.
Many of the organisms that live in
caves have evolved over millions of years
to survive in these nutrient poor
environments.
And the introduction of outside materials
can disrupt the delicate balance.
For example, certain species of fungi or
bacteria that thrive in nutrient rich
environments.
Could start to out compete native cave
species, potentially leading to
extinctions or permanent changes in the
ecosystem.
But it's not just about caves.
This incident serves as a broader reminder
of how human activity impacts natural
environments everywhere.
Whether we're talking about forests oceans
or deserts.
Introducing foreign materials into a biome
can trigger a chain reaction that affects
the entire ecosystem.
So how can you help prevent incidents
like this from happening?
Aside from following the leave no trace
principles, one great way is to educate
yourself and others about the environments
you visit.
Understanding how ecosystems function,
what makes them unique, and why they
are fragile can make you a more
responsible traveler and nature
enthusiast.
For example, when visiting caves, know
that food, drinks, and even certain types
of clothing fibers can introduce harmful
materials into the cave.
Stick to water and be mindful of
the rules set by park rangers.
Theyre there to protect these ecosystems
for future generations.
In conclusion, the Cheetos back incident
might seem small, but it highlights the
intricate balance of nature and how easily
it can be disrupted.
Whether youre exploring a cave, hiking
through a forest, or swimming in the
ocean, always remember that your actions
have consequences.
Protecting our planets diverse ecosystems
is a responsibility we all share.
Thank you for listening to this week's
episode of Cultivate Curiosity.
Until next time, stay curious, stay
informed, and remember small actions can
make a big difference.
Thanks for listening to this week's
episode of Cultivate Curiosity.
If you have any questions, feel free
to email us at socialmedia@ecscience.org.
Tune in for our next episode
in two weeks.