As part of the CARDIKARST project, field research was conducted on 31 October 2025 in Plitvice Lakes National Park, in Golubnjača Cave and Velika Pećina. The research involved graduate students of Geography enrolled in the Physical Geography and Geoecology at the Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb. This field activity represented a continuation of their practical training initiated during earlier research in Samograd Cave, where students had first acquired fundamental methodological knowledge. In this new setting, they applied the skills and experience already gained to speleological features with different morphological and microclimatic characteristics.
Unlike the previous fieldwork, which focused on introducing methodological principles and developing independent measurement strategies, the students now conducted measurements following the established research protocol of the CARDIKARST project. Measurements were performed at predefined locations selected based on cave morphology and the expected spatial distribution of microclimatic conditions. Students independently measured air and sediment temperature and CO₂ concentration using portable instruments, while systematically recording the position of measurement points and the environmental conditions under which the measurements were conducted.
A key component of the fieldwork involved the use of a thermal camera to examine the spatial distribution of surface temperatures in the entrance and inner parts of the caves. Thermal imaging enabled the identification of zones with distinct thermal characteristics, including areas with pronounced temperature contrasts and potentially enhanced air exchange. Based on the thermal images obtained, students discussed the suitability of different locations for microclimatic measurements and evaluated their relevance for interpreting cave processes. This approach strengthened their ability to connect instrumental observations with the underlying physical mechanisms governing the cave microclimate.
In addition to conducting measurements, the students collected comprehensive photographic documentation of the research. This documentation forms an essential part of scientific field records, enabling subsequent analysis of spatial relationships, measurement conditions, and morphological features of the caves. Through this process, students further developed methodological rigor and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of systematic field documentation.
The field research in Golubnjača Cave and Velika Pećina enabled students to deepen their practical skills and demonstrate their ability to conduct measurements independently in accordance with a scientifically established protocol. By applying knowledge gained during earlier investigations, the students actively contributed to the acquisition of data essential for understanding microclimatic processes in karst underground systems. These activities also supported their training for participation in scientific research and strengthened their understanding of the importance of systematic cave microclimate monitoring for the protection and sustainable management of sensitive subterranean environments within protected areas.
