karstisuus

Karsticity is a geological and geomorphological concept describing landscapes shaped by the dissolution of soluble rocks, most notably limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It develops where rainwater, slightly acidic from dissolved carbon dioxide, percolates through the ground and dissolves the bedrock, creating characteristic surface and subsurface features.

Surface expressions include sinkholes (dolines), fissures, and, in some regions, limestone pavements. Streams may disappear underground, reappearing later as springs after short distances. Subterranean features are extensive cave networks, underground rivers, and conduits, with speleothems such as stalactites and stalagmites formed by mineral deposition in caves.

Karst hydrology is highly distinctive: groundwater flows through conduits, producing rapid and sometimes unpredictable responses to rainfall and substantial variation in storage over short distances. Karst aquifers are important freshwater resources but are particularly vulnerable to contamination, because surface pollutants can rapidly reach groundwater through direct pathways.

Global distribution mirrors the presence of soluble rocks. Notable karst regions include the Karst area of Slovenia and Italy, the Moravian Karst in the Czech Republic, and extensive karst systems along the Dinaric Karst of the Adriatic coast, among others.

Human use and protection: karst landscapes support tourism, cave research, and water supply, but are sensitive to pollution, land-use changes, and groundwater extraction. Conservation efforts focus on protecting cave ecosystems, preserving water quality, and maintaining natural drainage patterns to safeguard both ecological values and water resources.