Fungal outbreak in a show cave

Area of Science:

• Speleology and Mycology
• Natural Monument Conservation
• Environmental Microbiology

Background:

• Castañar de Ibor Cave, a Spanish Natural Monument since 1997, was opened for public visits in 2003.
• Extensive monitoring systems were in place to ensure the cave's preservation.
• Despite controls, a significant fungal colonization event occurred in August 2008.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the occurrence and identify the causative agents of a fungal outbreak in Castañar de Ibor Cave.
• To document the trigger event: accidental detritus input.
• To describe the methods employed for controlling the fungal proliferation.

Main Methods:

• Identification of the fungal species responsible for the outbreak.
• Analysis of the accidental detritus input as the initiating event.
• Implementation and evaluation of control strategies against the fungal mycelia.

Main Results:

• The fungal outbreak was identified as being initiated by Mucor circinelloides and Fusarium solani.
• The event was directly linked to an accidental input of detritus on August 24, 2008.
• The white fungal mycelia rapidly colonized cave walls and sediments.

Conclusions:

• Accidental detritus input can trigger significant fungal outbreaks in sensitive cave ecosystems.
• Effective control methods were successfully applied to manage the Mucor circinelloides and Fusarium solani outbreak.
• This event underscores the importance of stringent biosecurity measures in protected natural sites.