Comparative Evaluation of Geological Heritage Landscapes in Dali-Cangshan Global Geopark

Abstract

Cangshan Glacier is one of the southernmost mountains in the Northern Hemisphere (Asian Continent) during the last Quaternary glaciation, and is a standard area with well-preserved and abundant traces of Quaternary Dali glaciation. In this study, the geological heritage resources of Cangshan Mountain are evaluated in terms of condition indicator and value indicator. Through the determination of quantitative evaluation indicators and evaluation factor weights of geological heritage landscapes, the geological heritage resources of Cangshan Mountain are identified and classified. The results show that there are two world-class geological heritage landscapes, 14 national geological heritage landscapes, 54 provincial geological heritage landscapes and 55 geological relic landscapes below the provincial level in the park. Cangshan Mountain’s geological heritage resources are compared with glacial heritage resources, Quaternary glaciation resources and tectonic geomorphic heritage resources both at home and abroad, so as to form a complete evaluation of the geological heritage landscape resources of Cangshan Mountain.