Pollen vector dynamics in a cave ecosystem under tourism pressure: A case study of Oylat show cave
Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology, cilt.353, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 353
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.revpalbo.2026.105665
- Dergi Adı: Review of Palaeobotany and Palynology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Geobase, Zoological Record
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Anthropogenic transport, Bat guano, Copropalynology, Palynology, Pollen monitoring
- Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Caves are fragile ecosystems that preserve valuable biological data. However, increasing anthropogenic pressures from tourism are causing numerous problems in these environments. This palynological study, conducted in the anthropogenically impacted Oylat Cave (NW Turkey), focused on pollen input pathways into a show cave, with particular emphasis on pollen introduced by biotic vectors such as insectivorous bats and humans, using multiple complementary sampling methods. Monthly sampling was conducted over one year using fresh guano of insectivorous bats, two sediment traps (Tauber) located both inside (Tauber-in) and outside (Tauber-out) the cave, and an atmospheric pollen trap (Durham) placed outside the cave. Guano sampling emerged as the method yielding the highest taxon diversity (59 taxa) and the most intensive pollen input to the cave ecosystem. Dominant taxa identified in guano samples included Poaceae, Pinus , Quercus , Cupressaceae/Taxaceae, Plantago , Fabaceae, Tilia , Castanea sativa , Apiaceae, Taraxacum , Carpinus , Fraxinus , Betula , Alnus , Urticaceae, Morus , Ulmus , Helianthus annuus , Xanthium , and Amaranthaceae/Chenopodiaceae. However, the presence of phenologically inconsistent pollen grains in the Tauber-in traps indicated a human influence on pollen accumulation in the Oylat show cave. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences in pollen input among sampling methods. Comparisons with meteorological data and pollen sampling conducted outside the cave confirmed that bats are the primary biotic vectors responsible for pollen transport into caves. Therefore, bat guano, which provides critical palynological data from cave environments, requires conservation measures to help preserve the natural state of caves.