Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

If you don’t find questions to your answers, feel free to contact us.

If you don’t find questions to your answers, feel free to contact us.

What is an Estavela?​

An ESTAVELA is indeed a unique and relatively uncommon karst phenomenon. It represents a form of access to karst groundwater in the form of a cave, which can exhibit characteristics of both a sinkhole and a spring, depending on various factors such as the season and weather conditions. This means that it can absorb water during certain times, while during others, it releases water. Additionally, there may be periods when the Estavela is completely dry and inactive.
One particular example worth mentioning is the Bg-Bar-Bg Estavela, which we have explored. This specific Estavela showcases the fascinating nature of these formations and provides valuable insights into their behavior and hydrological dynamics.
It’s worth noting that there is also a unique variation of the Estavela known as the submarine Estavela, which is located beneath the sea. During times of high discharge, this submarine Estavela releases fresh or brackish water into the surrounding seawater, creating an intriguing interaction between the underground and marine environments.
Overall, Estavelas are captivating natural phenomena that highlight the dynamic nature of karst landscapes and the intricate connections between groundwater systems and surface water bodies.

What is an Estavela?​

An ESTAVELA is indeed a unique and relatively uncommon karst phenomenon. It represents a form of access to karst groundwater in the form of a cave, which can exhibit characteristics of both a sinkhole and a spring, depending on various factors such as the season and weather conditions. This means that it can absorb water during certain times, while during others, it releases water. Additionally, there may be periods when the Estavela is completely dry and inactive.
One particular example worth mentioning is the Bg-Bar-Bg Estavela, which we have explored. This specific Estavela showcases the fascinating nature of these formations and provides valuable insights into their behavior and hydrological dynamics.
It’s worth noting that there is also a unique variation of the Estavela known as the submarine Estavela, which is located beneath the sea. During times of high discharge, this submarine Estavela releases fresh or brackish water into the surrounding seawater, creating an intriguing interaction between the underground and marine environments.
Overall, Estavelas are captivating natural phenomena that highlight the dynamic nature of karst landscapes and the intricate connections between groundwater systems and surface water bodies.

What does new species mean?

When a new species is discovered, it is indeed a significant scientific finding. The process of formally describing and naming a new species typically involves publishing a scientific paper known as a species description or taxonomic description. This paper provides detailed information about the newly discovered species, including its distinguishing characteristics, habitat, behavior, and genetic or morphological differences from related species. The species description paper is authored by the scientists or researchers who made the discovery, and it goes through a peer-review process where other experts in the field review and validate the findings before publication. This rigorous process ensures the accuracy and credibility of the scientific discovery. The paper usually includes a formal scientific name for the new species, following the guidelines set by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals or the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) for plants. The name given to the new species is typically based on its unique characteristics, geographical location, or honors a notable individual. By publishing the species description paper, scientists contribute to the knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and help establish a formal classification system for organisms. It also allows other researchers to reference and study the newly discovered species in future scientific investigations.

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What does new species mean?

When a new species is discovered, it is indeed a significant scientific finding. The process of formally describing and naming a new species typically involves publishing a scientific paper known as a species description or taxonomic description. This paper provides detailed information about the newly discovered species, including its distinguishing characteristics, habitat, behavior, and genetic or morphological differences from related species. The species description paper is authored by the scientists or researchers who made the discovery, and it goes through a peer-review process where other experts in the field review and validate the findings before publication. This rigorous process ensures the accuracy and credibility of the scientific discovery. The paper usually includes a formal scientific name for the new species, following the guidelines set by the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN) for animals or the International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICN) for plants. The name given to the new species is typically based on its unique characteristics, geographical location, or honors a notable individual. By publishing the species description paper, scientists contribute to the knowledge and understanding of biodiversity and help establish a formal classification system for organisms. It also allows other researchers to reference and study the newly discovered species in future scientific investigations.

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Are cave organism microscopic?​

Some cave organisms, such as bacteria and small crustaceans like copepods, are indeed small in size. However, it’s important to note that not all cave animals are small. There are various sizes and shapes of cave organisms, but you won’t find any as large as an elephant, for example.
The diversity of cave organisms is vast, and they have adapted to their unique environment. From our perspective, these organisms may appear alien in shape, but they are perfectly suited to their surroundings. In the cave ecosystem, humans are the true aliens.

Are cave organism microscopic?​

Some cave organisms, such as bacteria and small crustaceans like copepods, are indeed small in size. However, it’s important to note that not all cave animals are small. There are various sizes and shapes of cave organisms, but you won’t find any as large as an elephant, for example.
The diversity of cave organisms is vast, and they have adapted to their unique environment. From our perspective, these organisms may appear alien in shape, but they are perfectly suited to their surroundings. In the cave ecosystem, humans are the true aliens.

How does water get in caves?

The majority of water that enters caves does so through the joints, which serve as connections between the cave and the surface. In areas where numerous joints are present, sinkholes can form on the surface. Sinkholes function as funnels, gathering rainwater from the surface and channeling it into the cave system. This process contributes to the water flow and hydrology within the cave environment.

How does water get in caves?

The majority of water that enters caves does so through the joints, which serve as connections between the cave and the surface. In areas where numerous joints are present, sinkholes can form on the surface. Sinkholes function as funnels, gathering rainwater from the surface and channeling it into the cave system. This process contributes to the water flow and hydrology within the cave environment.

Why organisms live in cave?

Caves are unique environments that often lack large predators and exhibit relatively stable conditions, including minimal fluctuations in temperature and other factors. These characteristics create a distinct ecosystem within the cave, providing a refuge for various organisms adapted to this specific environment. The absence of large predators in caves allows for the development of specialized adaptations and behaviors among the resident species. This relatively stable and predator-free environment contributes to the unique ecological dynamics found within caves.

What are the characteristics of cave animals?

Cave-dwelling organisms adapt to the absence of light by developing traits such as lack of pigmentation, reduced or absent eyes, and alternative sensory mechanisms for finding food.

Why organisms live in cave?

Caves are unique environments that often lack large predators and exhibit relatively stable conditions, including minimal fluctuations in temperature and other factors. These characteristics create a distinct ecosystem within the cave, providing a refuge for various organisms adapted to this specific environment. The absence of large predators in caves allows for the development of specialized adaptations and behaviors among the resident species. This relatively stable and predator-free environment contributes to the unique ecological dynamics found within caves.

What are the characteristics of cave animals?

Cave-dwelling organisms adapt to the absence of light by developing traits such as lack of pigmentation, reduced or absent eyes, and alternative sensory mechanisms for finding food.

What is the deepest/longest underwater cave in Serbia?

The deepest underwater cave is the spring of the river Krupaja, reaching a depth of -123 meters. Right behind it is the spring of the river Mlava with a depth of -91 meters, and the spring Krupac with a depth of -84 meters. The longest underwater channel in Serbia is the 2nd sump in cave Pravi vir, stretching approximately 490 meters in length and reaching a maximum depth of -36 meters. The cave with the largest number of sumps is Potpecka, boasting a total of 7 sumps and continuing further.
For more information and maps of these caves, please refer to the button below.
Cave info & Maps

What is the deepest/longest underwater cave in Serbia?

The deepest underwater cave is the spring of the river Krupaja, reaching a depth of -123 meters. Right behind it is the spring of the river Mlava with a depth of -91 meters, and the spring Krupac with a depth of -84 meters. The longest underwater channel in Serbia is the 2nd sump in cave Pravi vir, stretching approximately 490 meters in length and reaching a maximum depth of -36 meters. The cave with the largest number of sumps is Potpecka, boasting a total of 7 sumps and continuing further.
For more information and maps of these caves, please refer to the button below.
Cave info & Maps

Why is subterranean water important?

Only 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh, and out of that, 2.5% is unavailable due to various reasons such as being locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps, the atmosphere, or the soil. Additionally, some of it is highly polluted or located too deep underground to be extracted at a reasonable cost. This means that only 0.5% of the Earth’s water is accessible as fresh water, and most of it comes from springs.

Why are subterranean organisms important?

Geochemical processes, combined with the presence of cave organisms, play a crucial role in determining the quality of subterranean water and contribute significantly to its purification. Certain species of cave organisms can serve as indicators of water quality, providing valuable information about the health and condition of underground water systems.

Why is subterranean water important?

Only 3% of the Earth’s water is fresh, and out of that, 2.5% is unavailable due to various reasons such as being locked up in glaciers, polar ice caps, the atmosphere, or the soil. Additionally, some of it is highly polluted or located too deep underground to be extracted at a reasonable cost. This means that only 0.5% of the Earth’s water is accessible as fresh water, and most of it comes from springs.

Why are subterranean organisms important?

Geochemical processes, combined with the presence of cave organisms, play a crucial role in determining the quality of subterranean water and contribute significantly to its purification. Certain species of cave organisms can serve as indicators of water quality, providing valuable information about the health and condition of underground water systems.

Can I start cave sertification in your organisation?

No, we do not provide cave certification services, but we can offer guidance on where to obtain certification.
Our focus is on organizing exploration teams consisting of certified cavers and scientists.
If you’re interested, we recommend checking caving clubs and contacting them through the Serbian Caving Association website.

Can I start cave sertification in your organisation?

No, we do not provide cave certification services, but we can offer guidance on where to obtain certification.
Our focus is on organizing exploration teams consisting of certified cavers and scientists.
If you’re interested, we recommend checking caving clubs and contacting them through the Serbian Caving Association website.