Parc national des grottes de Carlsbad
Country
United States of America (USA)
Inscribed in
1995
Criteria
(vii)
(viii)
The conservation outlook for this site has been assessed as "good with some concerns" in the latest assessment cycle. Explore the Conservation Outlook Assessment for the site below. You have the option to access the summary, or the detailed assessment.
Situé dans l'État du Nouveau-Mexique, ce paysage karstique comprend plus de 80 grottes connues, remarquables par leurs dimensions et l'abondance, la diversité et la beauté de leurs formations minérales. La grotte de Lechuguilla se distingue des autres et offre un véritable laboratoire souterrain où l'on peut étudier les processus géologiques et biologiques dans un environnement inviolé. © UNESCO
Summary
2025 Conservation Outlook
Finalised on
11 oct 2025
Good with some concerns
Current state and trend of VALUES
Low Concern
Overall THREATS
Overall PROTECTION and MANAGEMENT
Full assessment
Description of values
Geological features
Criterion
(viii)
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the few places in the world where ongoing geological processes are most apparent and rare speleothems continue to form, enabling scientists to study geological processes in a virtually undisturbed environment (World Heritage Committee, 2006). Capitan Reef is the largest exposed Permian Reef in the world, approximately 250 million years old. The Capitan Reef, in which Carlsbad Caverns and Lechuguilla Cave (and other caves) formed, is one of the best preserved and most accessible complexes available for scientific study in the world. The more than 120 limestone caves within Carlsbad Caverns National Park are outstanding and notable worldwide because of their size, mode of origin (i.e. dissolution via sulphuric acid), exceptional geological features and unique rock formations (NPS, 2017).
Rare and unique speleothems
Criterion
(vii)
The park’s primary caves, Carlsbad and Lechuguilla, are well known for the abundance, diversity and beauty of their decorative rock formations. Lechuguilla Cave exhibits rare and unique speleothems, including a great abundance of large calcite and gypsum formations, including the largest accumulation of gypsum ‘chandeliers’, some of which extend more than six metres (18 feet) in length (World Heritage Committee, 2006).
Biodiversity
The park contains a large number of species of birds, mammals and reptiles (Bailey, 1928). Over 15 species of bats have been recorded in the park, including a large colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats which sometimes exceeds 1,000,000 in number (Geluso & Geluso, 2004; West, 1995). Approximately 900 species of plants are found in the park, with many examples of species at the margins of their range (NPS, 2017). Recent studies have discovered several moth species new to science and others new to the United States and some new to New Mexico (Metzler et al., 2013; Metzler & Knudson, 2011). Numerous single-celled organisms live in the caves, especially Lechuguilla Cave (Cunningham et al., 1995), and exhibit adaptations to cave existence, feeding on inorganic materials. Studies show the potential for cancer inhibiting properties in some of them. A ten-year study is expected to show a high degree of biodiversity with several thousands of species present.
Designated Wilderness Area
Carlsbad Caverns National Park contains more than 33,000 acres of federally designated wilderness where visitors can experience solitude and primitive and unconfined recreation and the landscape is largely in its natural condition and untrammeled by man (NPS, 2017). With relatively little artificial noise, the park exhibits a prominently natural soundscape and acoustic environment, and the protection of air quality and views afforded by its Class I airshed benefit visitors and support park resources. The night sky at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is dark enough for visitors to experience stars and other night sky resources as seen from the wild desert environment.
Cultural value
The park’s cultural heritage represents a continuum of human use from prehistory to present of the desert environment and caves as represented by hundreds of surface and subsurface archeological sites, longstanding and ongoing relationships with 14 American Indian tribes, two national register historic districts, two cultural landscapes, and nearly 1 million museum objects (NPS, 2017).
Outstanding example of exposed Permian age fossil reef
Carlsbad Caverns National Park protects the Capitan Reef one of the best preserved exposed Permian-age fossil reefs in the world. The park’s deep canyons and caves provide visitors and scientists with unique opportunities to view and study this fossil reef from the inside (NPS, 2017).
Assessment information
Overall, the impact of current threats to the site’s geological values are considered low. The surrounding development from the oil and gas industry is affecting the park’s viewshed, soundscape, air quality, and biologic, cultural, and cave resources. Invasive species and change in plant composition due to grazing, climate change and habitat fragmentation on the boundaries of the park threaten the biological stability of native ecosystems. Inappropriate tourism visitation represents a very low threat to the geological values of the site.
Invasive Non-Native/ Alien Species
(Invasive plants and animals)
Other invasive species names
barbary sheep (Ammotragus lervia), maltese-star thistle (Centaurea melitensis), Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)
Inside site
, Scattered(5-15%)
Outside site
Invasive plants and animals threaten the biological stability of the site’s native ecosystem (Benck et al., 2017; State Party of the United States of America, 2024). Barbary sheep are the primary invasive animal. The park is also threatened by about a dozen plant species, especially a non-native thistle, that occur mostly along park roads and trails, brought in and distributed on the feet and vehicles of visitors. Other non native plants of particular concern include the Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) and Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) (NPS, 2017)
Weather & Climate Management, Biological System Management
(Habitat shifting)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Change in plant composition due to grazing, climate change and habitat fragmentation on the boundaries of the park. Additionally, the US Air Force is proposing training flights over the vicinity of the park which may affect the park's bat populations. Studies and negotiations are currently in progress on this question.
Terrestrial Animal Farming, Ranching & Herding
(Trespassing livestock)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Cattle and other livestock occasionally trespass into the wilderness (and nonwilderness park areas) from bordering land (NPS, 2017). There have been no breaches of the boundary fence in the recent past.
Recreational Activities, Other Human Disturbances
(Inappropriate tourism behaviour)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Localized impacts from authorized and unauthorized off-trail use within the caves and inappropriate visitor behaviour such as defecation, touching formations, and other vandalism, resulting in degradation to associated cave resources (specifically in the Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern). In the past, as many as 2,000 speleothems each year were vandalized or stolen from Carlsbad Cavern (NPS, 2017)
Pathogens
(White-Nose Syndrome)
Inside site
, Localised(<5%)
Outside site
Carlsbad Caverns is home to 17 species of bat. White-nose syndrome is a serious threat to bat populations around North America and its reach is expected to spread (IUCN Consultation, 2020). In 2024, swabs collected from cave Myotis bats in the Left Hand Tunnel area of Carlsbad Cavern and near the Rattlesnake Springs day use area tested positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), confirming the presence of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Carlsbad Cavern National Park (NPS, 2024a). The park is increasing efforts to mitigate the spread of white-nose syndrome to other areas. These steps will include the decontamination of caving and research equipment before and after entry and visitor footwear (NPS, 2024a).
Oil & Gas exploration/development
(Oil and gas development)
Outside site
Increased oil and gas development can result in contamination of air and water resources for the area. A release of natural gas has a low potential to pollute some cave atmospheres. Air quality and viewsheds in the park are sometimes obscured by haze from pollution and nearby oil and gas activities, representing a moderate concern (NPS, 2017). New research shows that ozone concentrations at Carlsbad Caverns National Park frequently exceed Environmental Protection Agency health standards, likely due to oil and natural gas development in the Permian Basin and surrounding region (Colorado State University, 2024).
Increased oil and gas development could result in groundwater contamination and lower water levels in the Capitan Aquifer, which is the primary water supply for the City of Carlsbad, but it will not impact the water supply, water resources, or caves in the park because they are above the water table (except for one small pool). A leak from a natural gas well could threaten the air quality of some caves in the park, and their associated ecosystems, but the caves formed primarily vertically. Currently, the most significant impact by the region's oil and gas development on the park is on the views from the park. Flaring has increased haze, limiting views of daytime vistas, and increased ambient light to impact views of the night sky. Precipitation patterns, fire regimes, biologic communities, visitation patterns and cave conditions all stand to be impacted by climate change. Additionally, US national parks are facing challenges from government changes which impact staff numbers and funding for operational and management needs, further enhanced by increasing climate change impacts. This creates uncertainty regarding the medium-term impact on sustainable finance for essential management activities.
Water-borne & other effluent Pollution
(Water pollution)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
Infiltration of contaminated water from parking lots and sewer lines has the potential to impact the entire ecosystem, destroying cave features and the habitat of the world famous colony of migratory Brazilian free-tailed bats (NPS, 2017)
Changes in Physical & Chemical Regimes, Changes in Precipitation & Hydrological Regime
(Climate change)
Inside site
, Extent of threat not known
Outside site
Climate change presents several potential issues that could affect resources and visitor experiences across the park. Precipitation patterns, fire regimes, biologic communities, and visitation patterns all stand to be impacted (NPS, 2017). Increased mean annual temperature and varied precipitation could alter cave conditions. Flooding events can have impact on the integrity of the site’s OUV, e.g. the Scenic Loop Road was heavily damaged in a flash flood August 2022 and the road has been closed pending major repairs (State Party of the United States of America, 2024)
Removing/Reducing Human Management
(Changes in staff capacity and funding)
Inside site
, Throughout(>50%)
Outside site
US national parks are facing challenges from government changes which impact staff numbers and funding for operational and management needs, further enhanced by increasing climate change impacts (e.g. Matza, 2025; Rosenblat, 2025). This creates uncertainty regarding the medium-term impact on sustainable finance for essential management activities.
Involvement of stakeholders and rightsholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making processes
Overall, the relationship with local people is good, although while local communities provide some input, they do not have a direct role in the management of the site (State Party of the United States of America, 2013, 2024). Park staff are active in the community in multiple ways, including the cooperative development of the Guadalupe Ridge Trail that extends through the park, adjoining federal lands, and to other properties to the City of Carlsbad.
Legal framework
Carlsbad Caverns was designated as a national park in 1930. Two-thirds of the area is also gazetted as wilderness. The Federal Government has full jurisdiction over all lands within the park boundary through the US Department of the Interior and National Park Service. A Land Protection Plan approved in 1984 is in place covering the private tract. The most recent Periodic Report notes some deficiencies in the implementation of the legal framework (State Party of the United States of America, 2024).
Governance arrangements
The US Department of the Interior, National Park Service is the sole owner with the exception of a 138 hectare inholding. The Federal Government has full jurisdiction over all lands within the park boundary through the US Department of the Interior and National Park Service (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). The Secretary of the Interior is empowered to make rules and regulations for proper management and protection of the park and its resources.
Integration into local, regional and national planning systems (including sea/landscape connectivity)
Interagency planning and coordination occurs among the park and adjacent federal lands, principally the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM has agreed to prohibit oil and gas operations within a designated exclusion zone north of the park to prevent impacts to Lechuguilla Cave, and to restrict such operations to east of Highway 62/180 (an average 6-10 km from the park boundary).
Boundaries
Boundaries of the site are adequate to protect the site’s Outstanding Universal Value; however, they could be improved (State Party of the United States of America, 2013). The site has no formal buffer zone, but most of the surrounding land is controlled by other federal agencies and those agencies coordinate their activities with the park to minimize adverse impacts. Negotiations were in progress to acquire an in-holding of private land and add it to the park, however no recent information has been identified on the matter.
Overlapping international designations
N/A
Implementation of World Heritage Committee decisions and recommendations
No decisions issued requiring implementation.
Climate action
Climate change presents several potential issues that could affect resources and visitor experiences across the park. Precipitation patterns, fire regimes, biologic communities, and visitation patterns all stand to be impacted (NPS, 2017). Increased mean annual temperature and varied precipitation could alter cave conditions. Flooding events can have impact on the integrity of the site’s OUV, e.g. the Scenic Loop Road was heavily damaged in a flash flood August 2022 and the road has been closed pending major repairs (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). The Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network conducts long-term climate monitoring to detect climate changes that could have cascading effects on park ecosystems (NPS, 2021). The NPS has updated in 2023 National Park Service Climate Change Response Strategy (NPS, 2023). The strategy helps determining priorities for inventorying and assessing resources and facilities at potentially higher risk using sources such as A Strategic Analysis of Climate Vulnerability of National Park Resources and Values and similar analyses (NPS, 2023). A climate change and resource impacts report was created for the park in 2024 (Benjamin & Olliff, 2024).
Management plan and overall management system
The management of the property is guided through a General Management Plan, Cave and Karst Management Plan, Management Policies, and a Comprehensive Interpretive Plan. A General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was completed and released to the public in 1996 . It sets forth a basic management philosophy, and provides strategies for addressing issues and achieving management objectives over the next 10 to 15 years (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). The Plan is, potentially out-of-date, except that multiple specific management documents have been updated or developed and implemented: Emergency Medical Services Plan (2004), Tourism Strategic Plan (2005), Cave and Karst Management Plan (2006), Carlsbad Cavern Protection Plan (2006), Flash Flood Plan (2011), Fire Management Plan (2011), Foundation Document (2016), and Wilderness Stewardship Report (NPS, 2018). Planning for a 5-year natural resource stewardship strategy has begun a few years ago, however no updated strategy was found online yet. A Cultural Landscape Inventory was finalized in 2023, and a Cultural Landscape Report for Rattlesnake Springs, the only source of fresh water for the Carlsbad Caverns NP, is under development (CESU, 2023).
Law enforcement
NPS has cooperative enforcement agreements in place with adjacent jurisdictions that supplement park ranger staff.
Sustainable finance
Government funds cover the majority of project (77%) and running costs (95%). The remaining costs are covered by individual visitor charges and commercial activities. The available budget was reported as adequate and the existing sources of funding as secure over both the medium- and long-term in the last periodic report (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). However, since then US national parks are facing escalating challenges from government changes which impact staff numbers and funding for operational and management needs, further enhanced by increasing climate change impacts (e.g. Matza, 2025). This creates uncertainty regarding the medium-term impact on sustainable finance for essential management activities.
Staff capacity, training and development
A site-based capacity building plan or programme is in place and fully implemented (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). However, US national parks are facing escalating challenges from government changes which impact staff numbers and funding for operational and management needs, further enhanced by increasing climate change impacts (e.g. Matza, 2025).
Education and interpretation programmes
The last periodic report reports general poor awareness and understanding of the existence and justification for inscription of the World Heritage property (State Party of the United States of America, 2024), despite education and interpretation programs being in place and improved, following expansion of the Visitor Center and its exhibits, increased local outreach, and the upgrade in interpretive signage throughout the park. There is a planned and effective education and awareness programme for children and youth that contributes to the protection of the World Heritage property (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). The notable deficiency in education and interpretation is the self-guided nature of most tours, which greatly limit contact and educational experience with the park's interpretive personnel.
Tourism and visitation management
Tourism is generally well-managed (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). However, monitoring of damage in Carlsbad Cavern finds continued damage from tourists on self-guided tours. While the amount of damage over a given period is generally small, most is permanent and irreparable and cumulatively increases in significance. Park resource staff are evaluating options to reduce and prevent further damage. On the positive side, the parks planned to replace the trails in the cave within a couple of years with materials that are less harmful to the cave environment.
Sustainable use
Small but cumulative permanent damage occurs from tourists in Carlsbad Cavern. The park is aware of it and continues to seek ways to minimize and prevent it. The park is working with other federal agencies to address and mitigate oil and gas leasing impacts to the resource caused by oil and gas exploration, drilling and extraction outside the site (State Party of the United States of America, 2024)
Monitoring
The NPS Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program, and the Chihuahuan Desert I&M network, of which Carlsbad Caverns National Park is a part (NPS, 2021), have developed several “vital signs” to track a subset of physical, chemical and biological elements and processes selected to represent the overall health or condition of park resources. In Carlsbad Caverns National Park, these vital signs include air quality, climate, invasive plants, landbirds, landscape dynamics, spring ecosystems, uplands vegetation and soils (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). Air quality monitoring of volatile organic compounds is used to determine threats from sources outside of the park, especially from adjacent oil and gas fields.
The last Periodic Report states that there is considerable monitoring, but not necessarily directed towards management needs and improving the understating of the OUV of the site (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). While information on the values of the WH property is adequate and key indicators have been defined, the monitoring of the indicators could be improved, especially in its frequency (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). The last Natural Resource Condition Assessment was published in 2017 (Benck, 2017).
The last Periodic Report states that there is considerable monitoring, but not necessarily directed towards management needs and improving the understating of the OUV of the site (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). While information on the values of the WH property is adequate and key indicators have been defined, the monitoring of the indicators could be improved, especially in its frequency (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). The last Natural Resource Condition Assessment was published in 2017 (Benck, 2017).
Research
Research in the park is diverse , covering a wide range of surface and subsurface disciplines including (but not limited to) history, archaeology, biology, geology, hydrology, speleology, and education (NPS, 2017). A survey of archaeological resources along the newly-established Guadalupe Ridge Trail has begun. See the list of projects for more research information.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats outside the site
While there is ongoing cooperation between the management authorities and other federal agencies regarding oil and gas extraction which remains a low threat to the park, its trend seems increasing (State Party of the United States of America, 2024). Invasive species remain a concern. Livestock have not been found on the park in five years, although some boundary fences need repair and funds are being sought.
Effectiveness of management system and governance in addressing threats inside the site
The management system in place appears adequate and is being fully implemented (State Party of the United States of America, 2013, 2024). However, US national parks are facing escalating challenges from government changes which impact staff numbers and funding for operational and management needs, further enhanced by increasing climate change impacts (e.g. Matza, 2025).
Overall, protection and management of the site are mostly effective with multiple management and monitoring programs active and in development, within the strong legal framework of the US National Park system complemented by interagency planning between the park and adjacent federal lands, principally the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Monitoring activities have identified some concern about continuing small but permanent damage from tourists, for which the park management are actively engaged in mitigation. Of some concern is that US national parks are facing escalating challenges from government changes which impact staff numbers and funding for operational and management needs, further enhanced by increasing climate change impacts. This creates uncertainty regarding the medium-term impact on sustainable finance for essential management activities.
Geological features
Good
Trend
Stable
The unique geological features of the site have been well preserved and remain in good state.
Rare and unique speleothems
Low Concern
Trend
Deteriorating
The cave resources of the site which form the basis of its Outstanding Universal Value are mostly protected, yet small but cumulative damage is occurring. Park staff continue to develop new strategies to reduce and eliminate such damage.
Assessment of the current state and trend of World Heritage values
Deteriorating
The cave resources of the site which form the basis of its Outstanding Universal Value are mostly well protected, yet small but cumulative permanent damage continues from tourists. The effects of climate change through changes in precipitation pattern and fire regimes remain mostly unknown.
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important biodiversity values
Low Concern
Data Deficient
Biodiversity values of the park, and what needs to be done to maintain them, are studied through research on certain species and niches as park funding and scientists with independent funding become available. A comprehensive survey of the surface ecosystem is needed as a baseline to compare to probable upcoming impacts from climate change. A comprehensive survey on the park's cave fauna has not been published since 1928. Invasive species continue to degrade the park environment, primarily along trails and roads, and are addressed by remediation methods such as pulling out of exotic plants. The detection of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans causing white-nose syndrome represents a serious threat to local bat populations (NPS, 2024a). Limited monitoring or analysis is done in the wilderness, so trends about natural, untrammelled, and undeveloped qualities of wilderness character are also unknown. Anecdotal evidence suggests additional noise in the wilderness due to increases in overflights and nearby oil and gas development. Air quality and viewsheds in the park are sometimes obscured by haze from pollution and nearby oil and gas activities, representing a moderate concern. The darkness of the night sky is impacted by nearby developments and oil and gas activities around the park (NPS, 2017).
Assessment of the current state and trend of other important values
Low Concern
Deteriorating
Overall condition of the cultural structure and landscape is fair to good although the utilities are deteriorating. Also the overall condition of prehistoric cultural resources is fair to good. Some erosion and other damage have been identified in the aftermath of recent fires (NPS, 2017). Changes in climate through increased mean annual temperature, varied precipitation, and extreme weather such as flooding and fire pose threats to cultural resources, as well as damages resulting from visitor access including vandalism and theft. Additional regular archaeological surveys and monitoring are needed.
Additional information
Provision of jobs,
Tourism-related income
A new National Park Service report shows that 394,000 visitors to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 2023 spent $29.1 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 359 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $31.9 million (NPS, 2024b)
Fire intervention activities limit visits to the park during high fire risk time periods.
Importance for research
Past environments and climates can be understood at Carlsbad Cavern National Park by studying fossil resources and conducting paleoclimate research. As a natural laboratory, the caves hold a very high potential for research, covering a wide range of surface and subsurface disciplines including history, archaeology, biology, geology, hydrology, speleology, and education (NPS, 2017). Ongoing research on caves and surface resources already led to new scientific discoveries.
Contribution to education
The park offers a wide variety of tours and recreational opportunities to immerse visitors in the park's resources. The Big Room of Carlsbad Cavern is one of the most easily visited cave rooms in the US, in part due to its elevator access (NPS, 2017).
Air quality, visibility, and light pollution may continue to impact the visitor experience. Haze can obscure views; ozone and particulate matter can make breathing difficult for sensitive populations. Additionally, changes in climate through increased mean annual temperature, varied precipitation, and extreme weather events could alter current visitation patterns. For example, roads and trails have been frequently closed for extended periods, due to more frequent storms and flooding (NPS, 2017)
Having a World Heritage Site in southeastern New Mexico elevates the area's status by highlighting its unique resources and attracting international visitors. The site brings significant benefits in education, research, and tourism, contributing to the local economy and enriching the experience for both global travelers and nearby communities.
| № | Organization | Brief description of Active Projects | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Cave and Karst Research Institute | The National Cave and Karst Research Institute (NCKRI) is a nexus of research, stewardship, outreach and information for caves and karst while fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, created by the US Congress in 1998 in partnership with the National Park Service, State of New Mexico, and the City of Carlsbad. NCKRI is located in Carlsbad, NM, and is a research center of the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. |
www.nckri.org
|
| 2 | Chihuahuan Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network | The Chihuahuan Desert Inventory & Monitoring Network includes seven parks in the desert and mountain landscapes of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The Chihuahuan Desert is shared by two nations and is the most biologically diverse desert in the Western Hemisphere. We collect information on park plants, soils, arid-land springs, air quality, birds, and dune dynamics and share our results with park managers. |
https://www.nps.gov/im/chdn/cave.htm
|
References
| № | References |
|---|---|
| 1 |
Bailey, V. (1928). Animal life of the Carlsbad Cavern. Monograph of the American Society of Mammalogists 3: 1–195.
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| 2 |
Benck, K. M., Allen, K., Nadeau, A. J., Hutchins, H., Davis, A. M., Robertson, A. (2017). Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Natural resource condition assessment. Natural Resource Report. NPS/CAVE/NRR—2017/1466. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2240877
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| 3 |
Benjamin, P., Olliff, T. (2024). Summary of Climate Change Considerations for Carlsbad Caverns National Park. NPS Intermountain Regional Office, Landscape Conservation & Climate Change Program. March 2024, 21 pp.
|
| 4 |
CESU (2023). Cultural Landscape Report for Rattlesnake Springs at Carlsbad Caverns NP | Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU). [online] Project description. Available at: https://depts.washington.edu/pnwcesu/project/cultural-lands… [Accessed on 3 February 2025]
|
| 5 |
Colorado State University (2024). Oil and gas development in Permian Basin a likely source of ozone pollution in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. [online] News Article, Phys.org. Available at: https://phys.org/news/2024-07-oil-gas-permian-basin-source… [Accessed 27 September 2024]
|
| 6 |
Cunningham, K.I., Northup, D.E., Pollastro, R.M., Wright, W.G. and LaRock, E.J. (1995). Bacteria, fungi and biokarst in Lechuguilla Cave, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Environmental Geology, 25(1), pp.2-8.
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| 7 |
Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., and Price, A.H. (1996). Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.
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| 8 |
Geluso, K. N. and Geluso, K. (2004). Mammals of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Bulletin No. 17. Lincoln, Nebraska: University of Nebraska State Museum.
|
| 9 |
IUCN Consultation (2017). IUCN World Heritage Confidential Consultation: Carlsbad Caverns National Park, United States of America.
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| 10 |
Levine, D. and Pyne, N. (2010). The Best of America under Threat from Underfunding. Washington, DC: Environment America Research and Policy Center.
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| 11 |
Matza, M. (2025). Cuts to national parks and forests met with backlash. BBC News. Published online 1 March 2025. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czx7kez4vx2o
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| 12 |
Metzler, E.H. and Knudson, E.C. (2011). A new species of Elasmia Moschler from New Mexico and Texas, and a new subspecies of Elasmia Mandela (Druce) from Texas and Oklahoma (Lepidoptera, Nothodontidae, Nystaleinae), ZooKeys 149: 51–67.
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| 13 |
Metzler, E.H., Knudson, E.C., Poole, R.W., Lafontaine, J.D. and Pogue, M.G. (2013). A review of the genus Ogdoconta Butler (Lepidoptera, Noctuidae, Condicinae, Condicini) from North America north of Mexico with descriptions of three new species. ZooKeys 264: 165–191.
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| 14 |
NPS (2017). Foundation Document – Carlsbad Caverns National Park. [online] Available at: https://www.nps.gov/cave/learn/management/upload/2017-Carls… [Accessed 30 January 2025]
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| 15 |
NPS (2018). Wilderness Report: National Park Service Wilderness Stewardship Program. [online] National Park Service, US. Department of Interior. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1981/upload/2018-NPS-Wilderness-Re… (Accessed 5 November 2020).
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| 16 |
NPS (2021). Inventory & Monitoring at Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service). [online] Available at: https://www.nps.gov/im/chdn/cave.htm [Accessed on 4 February 2025]
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| 17 |
NPS (2023). National Park Service Climate Change Response Strategy 2023 Update. [online] National Park Service, Washington, D.C. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/climatechange/upload/NPSClimat… [Accessed on 4 February 2025]
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| 18 |
NPS (2024a). Fungus That Causes White-nose Syndrome Detected - Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service). [online] News article. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/cave/learn/news/fungus-that-causes-whit… [Accessed on 3 February 2025]
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| 19 |
NPS (2024b). Tourism to Carlsbad Caverns Contributes $31.9 Million to Local Economy - Carlsbad Caverns National Park (U.S. National Park Service). [online] News Article. Available at: https://www.nps.gov/cave/learn/news/2023-economic-benefits… [Accessed on 3 February 2025]
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| 20 |
Polyak, V.J., Rasmussen, J.B.T., and Asmerom, Y. (2018). Drip water measurements from Carlsbad Cavern: implications towards paleoclimate records yielded from evaporative-zone stalagmites. International Journal of Speleology, 47 (2): 201-212.
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| 21 |
Rosenblat, C. (2025). National parks brace for ‘a hold-your-breath year’ as the season heats up. CNN. Published online 16 April 2025. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/16/travel/national-parks-vi…
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| 22 |
State Party of the United States of America (2013). Periodic Report Second Cycle Section II: Carlsbad Caverns National Park. [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/document/164486 [Accessed: 18 February 2019]
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| 23 |
State Party of the United States of America (2024). Periodic Report Cycle 3, Section II: Carlsbad Caverns National Park. [online] Paris, France: UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Available at: https://whc.unesco.org/document/217165 [Accessed 30 January 2025]
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| 24 |
West, S. (1995). Cave Swallow (Hirundo fulva). In: A. Poole and F. Gill (eds.) The Birds of North America, No. 141. Philadelphia, PA and Washington, DC: The Academy of Natural Sciences and The American Ornithologists’ Union.
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World Heritage Committee (2006). Annex of Document WHC-06/30.COM/11B (WHC-06/30.COM/11B.ADD). In: Decision 30 COM 11B Carlsbad Caverns National Park State of Outstanding Universal Value (United States of America), p. 172. [online] Vilnius, Lithuania. Available at: (Accessed: 18 February 2019).
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