Slovenija is also karst and karstological country. Our Classical karst has given the name for landscapes on carbonate rock and with its descriptions karstology has started to develop. 44% of Slovenija is karst and more than half of population is supplied with karst waters.

Good work in the Research program enables further development of exceptional international tradition of Slovene karstology. We co-operate with karstologists from the whole world and connect them also within the Academy for karst sciences. The Karst Research Institute at ZRC SAZU is one of the most important international research and study karstological centers.

We study karst in Slovenija and in numerous foreign countries, where we often help to develop karst researches. We are one of the strongest groups in developing a complex karstology, both in the contents and organization of karst research.

Internationally creatively we are developing the most important parts of karst research. Three-dimensional karst landscapes are researched in a complex manner including their surfaces, caves and waters. We deepen the knowledge of karst geology and the influences of carbonate rocks and tectonics on developing the karst features, of geomorphology and its connections with underground forms, and of genesis of caves in different rocks and conditions. A special attention is dedicated to the research of karst aquifers. We study them using water tracings and different models, which help us to plan the proper use and protection of karst waters. With biological and microbiological researches the base for understanding the karst ecology is prepared.

We are developing modern methodology of karst researches, from field research with long-term measurements of different parameters and laboratory analyses to modeling karst features on gypsum and mathematical computer modeling of karst processes and development of karst with specific circulation of water, which forms it.

Interdisciplinary upgrade of the research results enables us to recognize the development of karst in different conditions and the datations of karst features. The history of karstology is studied too.

We publish a scientific journal Acta carsologica listed in the international Science Citation Index and books in our series Carsologica, 25 in last 15 years.

We present fresh knowledge during our International karstological school, the largest international annual meeting of karstologists.

The complex knowledge about karst and its understanding is fundamental for successful planning of life on karst and for teaching about it. We take part at large projects on karst and its protection; in recent years especially for water supply, constructing traffic connections and use of karst phenomena for tourist purposes.

We establish the only graduate study of karstology, through which the students can obtain a doctorate in karstology. Our library is one of the most complete karstological libraries in the world.