A recent incident at Carlsbad Caverns National Park underscores the delicate balance of cave ecosystems and the unforeseen consequences human actions can have. In early September 2024, a visitor inadvertently dropped an unfinished bag of Cheetos in North America’s largest cave, known as “The Big Room.” What may have seemed like a harmless mistake led to a “world-changing” event within the cave’s ecosystem, according to the park’s staff. The cheesy snack, softened by the cave’s humid conditions, became a source of nutrients for various cave organisms, from microbial life to insects and fungi. This created a new food web, allowing molds to spread, die, and emit unpleasant odors. Carlsbad Caverns, which only permits water inside its caverns, warned on social media that such actions disrupt the fragile interconnectedness of cave ecosystems, comparing the ripple effect to the unseen impact of small acts in daily life.
The park used this incident to remind the public about the importance of Leave No Trace (LNT) principles, particularly the third principle: “Dispose of Waste Properly.” Developed in the 1980s and widely adopted by land management agencies in the 1990s, LNT emphasizes minimizing human impact on natural environments. The Cheetos incident illustrates the importance of these principles, as even seemingly minor infractions can have long-lasting, unintended effects on sensitive environments like Carlsbad Caverns. The park’s ongoing efforts to educate visitors serve as a crucial reminder that preserving nature requires everyone to be mindful and responsible.
