Lighting Effects on the Development and Diversity of Photosynthetic Biofilm Communities in Carlsbad Cavern, New Mexico

Abstract

Artificial lighting in caves visited by tourists (“show caves”) can stimulate photosynthetic algae and cyanobacteria, called “lampenflora,” which are unsightly and damage speleothems and other cave surfaces. The most common mitigation strategy employs bleach, but altering intensities and wavelengths of light might be effective and less harsh.