Caves

This article describes design decisions that will be rediscussed before their implementation in the future, and as such are not final.

Caves are under-surface biomes that usually have very little life within them, and a succession stage of 1. Caves can be water or land biomes. The list of cave biomes is almost complete.

River Caves

occurs: on the sides of mountains
resources: rainfall, snowmelt
elevation: Approximately 5000 feet upwards - I will revise this sucker, but it's relative to latitude.
climate: high temperatures are up to 10 C. great temperature variation between day and night
topography: sloped ground, poor soil
secession stage: 2
autotroph niches: carnivores and herbivores up to midsize
heterotroph niches:up to midsize. (small trees/shrubs are included.)
other: All organizms must be adapted to a thinner atmosphere, meaning less oxygen or whatever your critter breathes. High winds probable.

Undersea caves

occurs: underwater, in the ocean near land
resources: none
elevation: 0 to -100 m below sea level
climate: cool to warm, depending on climate above water
topography: these caves are sometimes freshwater caves that ran into the ocean, but can also be lava tubes
biodiversity: 1
autotroph niches: none, except at entrance(s)
heterotroph niches: tiny to midlarge carnivores/omnivores/detrivores
other: more permanent residents than a river cave, again, more visitors than permanent residents

Blue Hole

occurs: near sea level
resources: possible fresh water
elevation: opening @100m above to 50 m below sea level
climate: cool, usually anoxic at a certain depth
topography: basically a huge cylinder cut out of the earth by limestone dissolving- requires flat terrain
biodiversity: 1
autotroph niches: small/tiny floating plants
heterotroph niches: tiny to small herbivores/carnivores/omnvores
other: only bacterial life in the anoxic zone. May have visitors from surrounding environment.

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