The Island's caves are increasingly being hailed by scientists around the world, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said in the House of Assembly last week.

"Bermuda's caves have long been a feature of interest, from the first scientific studies conducted nearly 150 years ago, to the subsequent recognition of their value as a tourist attraction," Ms Butterfield said.

"More recently,however, we have come to realise that our caves are a biodiversity hotspot, supporting a significant percentage of the Island's unique endemic species."

Ms Butterfield said the Island has the highest concentration of caves anywhere in the world and that our cave-life may answer critical questions about underground life.

A four-day workshop, which began on February 21, was organised by the Bermuda Biodiversity Project and supported by the Department of Conservation Services and was paid for by the friends of the Bermuda Aquarium and the Kenridge Foundation.

Six world-renowned cave experts, including Dr. Tom Iliffe of Texas A&M University and Dr. Geoff Boxshall of the National History Museum in London, were present at a workshop last week which was held at the Bermuda Aquarium.