Baseline Biospeleological Investigation of Lagbasan Cave

Cave is a natural opening in the ground extending beyond the zone of light and exhibits an extreme environment. However, cave ecosystems are considered one of the most poorly studied and fragile systems on earth. This paper presents the first effort to synthesize information on the ecological status of Lagbasan cave. Based on field research and review of literature, ecologically sensitive and recommended special use areas of the cave were identified. Reseachers developed a species inventory list containing 4 invertebrates representing the fauna of the cave and have identified 2 species of troglobites and 2 species of troglophiles. Invertebrates were identified at the family level. The two troglobites includes an isopods and amplypigid both found in the dark zone and troglophiles were cave crickets found in the dark zone and an ant in the light zone. Temperature and humidity as well as soil characteristics and composition were determined to account for the physicochemical status of the cave. Twenty-five species of plants were identified accounting for the vegetative cover composition of the cave.