This introductory paper reviews the environmental factors influencing the karts geo-hydrology of the Ingleborough area. Subsurface water sampling revealed that although mean calcium carbonate hardnesses varied little with depth, variability of hardness did decrease with depth. The results of surface water sampling are used to classify the major risings in the area into major resurgences, smaller risings with mean calcium carbonate contents of 100 to 200ppm., risings with mean calcium carbonate contents in excess of 200ppm. with high calcium carbonate content variability and similar sites with low calcium carbonate content variability. Flowthrough times of around one day for most conduit-flow waters and 30 to 40 days for the majority of diffuse-flow waters are suggested and the importance of flood pulses is outlined. The results are drawn together to give a model of as typical karst system in the region and avenues for further work are outlined.