Learn about the Karst data found in Transect.
Karst landscapes are geological formations that boast unique features like sinkholes, caves, disappearing streams, and springs. Transect helps you navigate this challenge by providing valuable information about karst in your project area.
In this article, we’ll review:
Why is Karst Important?
Karst landscapes play a vital role in our environment:
- Water Resources: Karst aquifers store and transmit vast quantities of freshwater, providing drinking water for millions of people worldwide.
- Ground Stability: The occurrence of sinkholes and underground voids can cause ground instability, making it crucial to evaluate the stability of the soil and rock prior to construction.
- Biodiversity: These unique ecosystems support diverse plant and animal life, some of which exist only in karst environments.
- Cultural Significance: Many cultures have deep connections to karst landscapes, using caves and springs for spiritual and historical purposes.
Developing renewable energy projects responsibly means minimizing impacts on these crucial aspects of karst environments.
Viewing Karst in the Map
You can use the Karst Map Layer to identify potential impacts to your project area or to get an understanding of the local Karst landscape. You can use the following Map Layers for a preliminary snapshot of an area’s soil data:
- Karst in the United States
When selecting the Karst layer, you can click the dropdown to populate a legend description of the layer. The Karst layer’s colormap is represented with the following colors:
Viewing Karst in a Report
At the top of the Executive Summary is the Report Map, where you can apply layers to visualize certain aspects of your Area of Interest. After running a report, you showcase the findings within your AOI by toggling the Karst layer.
You can also navigate to Supporting Docs & Resources > Catalog for a full breakdown of your area’s findings. Within the data table, you can filter to show Karst, then click any column to visualize it on the Map.
