The power of academic and public opinion in conservation: The case of Ayyalon Cave, Israel

While pessimism dominates discussions on biodiversity loss, it is increasingly recognized that for the long-term success of conservation programs, we also need hope. One way to foster hope is to celebrate the positive outcomes of conservation efforts. Here, we report on a successful step in the conservation efforts of Ayyalon cave, a unique subterranean ecosystem discovered in 2006 as a result of mining activities in a quarry in central Israel. Ayyalon cave is one of the few known fully sustained subterranean autotrophic sulfur-based food webs, in turn supporting a diverse, specialized endemic fauna. Upon the discovery of the cave, its isolation from the surface was compromised, resulting in colonization of alien species and changes in environmental conditions. In May 2021, the cave was put at additional risk following a plan to inject millions of cubic meters of fresh, cold, and oxidized water into the quarry. A team of Israeli scientists decided to take action, starting a highly mediatic campaign to save the cave. This campaign involved cooperation among domestic and foreign academics, the general public sector, and diverse stakeholders. Despite strong economic interests, the conservation campaign succeeded in pushing the National Infrastructure Committee to rectify the plan to inject water into the cave. Stemming from this success, we discuss important take-home messages that are paramount for the broader conservation science community.