The Importance of Caves

Did you know that Vancouver Island has over one thousand caves? That many people come to Vancouver Island for the activity known as spelunking? There are many people on Vancouver Island who don't realize that we are famous for more than just our parliament buildings in Victoria, or our surfing in Tofino. These caves, also known as karst topography, have attracted hundreds of serious cavers from Canada and abroad and are what help make our …

…the cave. The interior life of caves are very different from the exterior. Many organisms cannot survive with out living in a dark cave beneath a surface, but the cave itself cannot survive without sun. Caves offer society both attractions and detractions. Although dangerous, caves are beautiful to look at and provide a unique habitat for many organisms that could not survive without them. Karst topography is what makes Vancouver Island what it is today.