Plant Distillates Suppress Lampenflora in Karst Caves: Insights From In Situ Experiments and Microbial Community Analyses.
Plant distillates from Artemisia argyi, Cinnamomum cassia, and Mentha canadensis significantly suppress lampenflora in karst caves, with Cinnamomum cassia showing the strongest effect.
- Why it matters: Lampenflora damages cave structures and accelerates bioweathering, yet conventional control methods are often harmful to the environment, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives.
- What they did: In situ experiments over 30 days tested these plant distillates, measuring pigmentation, biomass, physiological markers, and microbial community changes, especially focusing on cyanobacteria like Leptolyngbya and Scytonema.
- The result: All treatments reduced lampenflora growth and affected microbial diversity, with Cinnamomum cassia providing the strongest suppression but also broader ecological impacts, while Mentha canadensis offered moderate control with minimal disturbance, supporting eco-friendly cave conservation strategies.