A Dropped Cheetos Bag Triggered a Microbial Boom in New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns

Key points

• A bag of Cheetos was dropped in The Big Room, a large chamber in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, during the summer of 2023.
• The cave’s 90-100% humidity caused the snack to soften, providing a substrate for microbial growth, fungi, and mold.
• The nutrient source attracted cave crickets, mites, spiders, and flies, creating a temporary food web that spread nutrients across nearby surfaces.
• Rangers removed the bag and used a toothbrush to clean mold rings from the affected area, a process that took approximately 20 minutes.
• The National Park Service used the incident to educate the public about the disproportionate impact of small littering actions on closed ecosystems.

Background

This incident underscores the sensitivity of subterranean environments, which are often isolated from external nutrient inputs. While previous coverage has focused on large-scale ecological disruptions, this event illustrates how micro-level changes can have cascading effects in stable, low-nutrient habitats like caves.

Why it matters

The incident demonstrates that ecological impact is not solely determined by the scale of the action but by the vulnerability of the environment. In closed systems like caves, even minor introductions of organic matter can alter microbial communities and nutrient cycles, challenging the perception that small acts of littering are inconsequential.

What to watch

The National Park Service continues to monitor the cave for any residual effects, though the ecosystem has reportedly returned to normal. The agency is using the event as a long-term educational tool to emphasize the importance of leaving no trace in sensitive natural areas.