International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks最新文献

While crowdsourcing applications that can support decision-making are increasing in volume, citizen science practice in Greece is in its early stages. The article presents the design of a BioBlitz that took place in the Ioannina Castle and aims to complement the natural and cultural heritage assessment of the specific site through the participation of 116 citizens and university students. The iNaturalist mobile application and online social network were used as basic tools for recording biodiversity and assisting in the identification process. Before the activity, participants received basic training through an open course in Science Education offered by the School of Early Childhood Education at the University of Ioannina. Additionally, participants completed pre-questionnaire of the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS). The results revealed that more than 26% of almost 1,000 observations received a Research Grade, while 207 species were recorded, engaging 191 identifiers. The analysis of both the pre-questionnaires and the post-questionnaires that were collected a week after the BioBlitz, showing a statistically significant positive shift in the levels of CNS. However, low intensity and small scale of the activity should be considered, and multiple interventions or long-time programs could supply more robust findings.

This study was carried out in the Foumbot-Kouomboum region (Noun Plain, Cameroon Volcanic Line), with the main objective of presenting (i) the geomorphological characteristics of the volcanic landforms and (ii) the inventory and evaluation of the main geomorphosites in the Foumbot-Kouomboum region. All the geomorphosites selected in this study are of volcanic origin and include four crater lakes (Monoun Lake, Mfouet Lake, Negop-Ghang Lake, Ngouondam Lake) and four Strombolian cones (Mfomben, Chapchap, Makwet, North-Njitande). Most of these volcanic geomorphosites are accessible and have volcanic features that highlight the geological significance of this region, warranting national and international recognition. These volcanic landscapes have relatively high scientific and additional values. The integrity of many of the selected geomorphosites is preserved and they are representative of the regional geomorphology. Some artisanal and industrial quarries, as well as agro-pastoral activities, tend to degrade certain geomorphosites that currently lack legal protection. The results of the inventory and evaluation of the selected geomorphosites show that they have enormous geotourism, educational and cultural potential that can be studied in depth with the aim of creating an UNESCO Global Geopark. Therefore, it is highly recommended to implement geoconservation policies for these geomorphosites. This will help to safeguard and enhance the natural beauty and unique volcanic landscapes they possess.

The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) serves as an integrated method and instrument that discerns the primary constraints and associated connections pertaining to the sustainable development of community residents. In this study, this framework has been enhanced through field investigations of the inhabitants within the “Three Parallel Rivers” World Heritage Site. Through these investigations, an empirical exploration of their livelihood capital was undertaken. It revealed that the collective livelihood capital of these residents within the World Heritage site was notably fragile, and characterized by a low degree of social integration.In the context of preserving the World Heritage Site, it was crucial for community residents to utilize ecological protection policies and compensation mechanisms to optimize and transform their livelihood capital. Additionally, it was important to focus on nurturing sustainable livelihood development, particularly in terms of human capital. This would lay the foundation for transitioning towards a sustainable livelihood model.

The present paper aims to present a quantitative evaluation of the sites of geomorphological interest in the surroundings of Pedra da Boca State Park, Northeast Brazil. The methodology used was based on the proposal and procedures of Diniz, Araújo, and das Chagas’ study in 2022, which considers scientific and aesthetic value as central to the definition of a geomorphosite. After the choice of the form and its due adaptations, the field stage was carried out, consisting of the application of the evaluation at the sites of interest. Thus, to classify a site as a geomorphosite, it is necessary to have a high scientific and/or aesthetic value in quantification. If it does not have a high value in these categories, but has some other potential, it can be considered a geomorphological site. As a result, the geomorphological sites that stood out the most were Pedra da Boca (Mouth Stone) State Park, Pedra da Macambira (Macambira Stone), Cânion do Macapá (Macapá Canyon), Porão do Macapá (Macapá Basement), Pedra do Chapéu (Hat Stone), Cânion da Serra Verde (Serra Verde Canyon) and Peladas (Bare Rock), with only the latter not reaching the quantification needed to be considered a geomorphosite, thus constituting six geomorphosites and one geodiversity site.

This study aims to quantitatively evaluate the nature-based tourism (NBT) potential in three Karagöl (“blacklake” in Turkish), Borçka, Şavşat and Murgul, which are located in Artvin Province. Among the mentioned lakes, Şavşat Karagöl has been taken under protection as a national park, and Borçka Karagöl has been brought under protection as a nature protection area. Murgul Karagöl, on the other hand, does not have any protection status. The Criteria Importance Through Inter-criteria Correlation (CRITIC) and Preference Ranking Organisation Method for Enrichment Evaluation (PROMETHEE)-Geometrical Analysis for Interactive Aid (GAIA) techniques were used to evaluate the nature-based tourism potentials of the lakes. In this context, twenty-six criteria obtained from the literature and weighted by the CRITIC technique were evaluated by comparing them with the three available alternatives. In the next stage, the evaluation of the alternatives according to the weighted criteria was provided by the PROMETHEE-GAIA technique. According to the results, the lake with the highest NBT potential in lakes in Artvin Province is Borçka Karagöl Nature Park. The lake with the lowest potential is Murgul Karagöl, which has not yet been discovered, and its infrastructure has not been completed. It is thought that the results may be significant in providing various practical implications for local stakeholders on NBT that can be developed in the region.

The Karangsambung-Karangbolong National Geopark, Kebumen, Indonesia, and its surrounding area contain numerous cultural sites. Such cultural sites are generally located not only for cultural reasons but also for geological conditions and geodiversity. We examine the relationships in space between these sites and the geology and geomorphology. There are 11 Megalithic era cultural sites, 12 Hindi - Buddist sites, 31 Islamic sites, and 83 colonial sites in the research area. We look at the geospatial distribution of the sites concerning seven geological criteria: lithology, elevation, slope, landscape, mining materials, distance from rivers and groundwater using an overlay process using Geographical Information System applications. The geospatial analysis of site distribution allowed us to find that the leading choice for site location was on alluvial deposits. Mining potential was not a significant correlation to site placement. Elevation (<50 m) and slope (<7%) were the primary choices in all areas. Fluvial landscapes were the top landscape type, followed by denudational landscapes. Most sites are located less than 750 m from a river and underlain with large productive aquifers. Combined geological and cultural research can strengthen a site's meaning and significance if carried out spatially so that the main geological parameters that influence the formation of the culture of an area can be identified. The main benefit is knowing the relationship between geological and cultural diversity so that it can be used in geotourism development, site assessment, and geopark management. Locations that need to be followed up for management and local government include a group of sites in the Gombong sub-district (mainly K-58, along with others such as K-59, K-60, K-61, K-52, K-64, K-65, K-67, K-68, K-69, K- 70, K-71, K-72), Rowokele sub-district (especially M-1, M-2, K-81, others K-79, and K-80), Ayah sub-district (HB-2), Buayan sub-district (M-9, HB-9), Karanganyar sub-district (especially K-48, and others such as K-49, K-52, K-54, K-55), Pejagoan sub-district (K-39, K44), Klirong sub-district (especially in the Gebangsari Pottery Tourism Village: M-8, HB-6, I-9), Petanahan sub-district (I-13, I-15, I-16), Buluspesantren sub-disistrict (M-4, I-27), Ambal sub-district (especially K-11, and others such as K-12, K-13, and K-14), Kebumen sub-district (especially HB-5, I-1, K-16, K-17, and others such as I-2, I-4, I-6, I-16, K-18, K-19, K-20, K -21, K-22, K-23, K-24, K-26, K-27, K-37), Alian sub-district (especially K-33, and others such as K-32, K-31), Kutowinangun sub-district (especially K-8, and others such as K-9, K-10), Prembun sub-district (especially the K-1 site, and others such as K-2, K-3, K-5).

The central part of the Western Desert of Egypt, where the Bahariya and Farafra oases are situated, possesses many notable geological features. However, to date the related geoheritage information remains incomplete. Field investigation has permitted the characterization of ten localities representing Quaternary environments, which were rather humid and, thus, differed from the present hyper-arid conditions. Lacustrine-palustrine calcretes and dolocretes, lake (playa) deposits, fluvial tufa and travertines, speleothems (cavern deposits), and aeolian nebkha facies are among the features of these localities. Tentatively, a geosite with a new form is proposed for the studied entity of the localities, namely a serial geosite; this term signifies geosites embracing localities representing the same geological phenomenon, but scattered in the study area. The managerial implications of this study are recommendations for careful planning based on the geosite descriptions.

Menoreh Mountain area is an area with very high geological uniqueness. One of the statuses that is contextually determined is a geopark because it provides a framework for conservation, education, and sustainable local economic activities as its pillars that are relevant to the agenda of economic development. It is necessary to characterize the existing geotourism potential in Menoreh Mountain area. This research attempts to identify and develop this potential using spatial and regional complex approaches. Technically, the method used is the Modified Geosites Assessment Model (M-GAM) combined with Hot-Spot Analysis to obtain spatial and non-spatial geotourism potential clustering. Clustering is done using K-Means Cluster Analysis. The results show that the existing geosites, spatially formed a cluster and can be used to determine the theme of the tourism activity to strengthen the geopark pillars. The development of geopark is hindered by several constraints including the division of administration and the disparity of each administrative region's capability. In general, a strategy to tighten the stakeholder and optimize the research is required to initially strengthen the geopark's pilars. It is also important to build a linkage of the geodiversity with the biodiversity and cultural diversity to enhance the significance value of Menoreh Mountain.

Geoheritage represents typical geological phenomena formed through internal and external geological processes during the Earth's long evolution. It serves as a carrier of crucial information regarding the Earth's evolution, the origin of life, and changes in the geographic environment. Additionally, it is a valuable geological resource for human utilization. In order to provide essential information for the scientific protection and utilization of geoheritage resources, this paper summarizes and further categorizes the types, grades, and distribution characteristics of geoheritage in China based on extensive firsthand data obtained from recent investigations. The results can be summaried in four aspects: (1) As of the end of 2018, a total of 7,267 important geoheritage sites (including global, national, and provincial levels) have been discovered and surveyed in China. Among them, there are 3,154 geoheritage sites of basic geology, 3,935 geoheritage sites of geomorphic landscape, and 178 geoheritage sites of geological disaster. They can be further categorized into 13 classes and 46 sub-classes, such as stratigraphic sections, rock profiles, rock and soil landforms, and earthquake relics. (2) Through expert evaluations and comparative studies, there are 218 Grade I (global level) geoheritage sites, 1,919 Grade II (national level) geoheritage sites, 4,732 Grade III (provincial level) geoheritage sites, and 398 Grade IV (below provincial level) geoheritage sites in China. (3) Geoheritage in China are mainly distributed in five regions: Southwest China, East China, Central China, Northwest, and North China. The geoheritage sites of basic geology are mainly distributed in the Southwest China, Central China, East China, Northwest China, and North China, with the Southwest China having the highest number, accounting for approximately 27%. The geoheritage sites of geomorphic landscape are mainly distributed in the Southwest China, Northwest China, East China, Central China, and North China, with the Southwest China having the highest number, accounting for approximately 29%. The geoheritage sites of geological disaster are mainly distributed in the Southwest China, Northwest China, and Central China, with the Southwest China having the highest number, accounting for approximately 47%.

This study was conducted in Kouoptamo, located in the Noun Plain in Western Cameroon, with the main objective of inventorying and evaluating the geological heritage, and promoting the protection and geoconservation of geosites, and their use in geotourism development. Geosites in the region include dammed lakes (Petpenoun lakes), maars (Sanka Ndoumkain Maar, Tchoua Maar), scoria cones (Nkoambeng, Kechuentim, Ngouen volcanoes), a dome (Njigoumbé Dome) and a managed natural area (Petponoun Domain). Most geosites have a high scientific, aesthetic and educational value. The method used for the inventory and assessment of geosites in this work is according to Reynard, et al. (2016), which is more suitable for geological heritage on a regional scale. The scientific value in this method is composed of four criteria, namely rarity, representativeness, integrity and palaeogeographical interest. Each of these criteria is evaluated independently by a numerical score ranging from 0 (nil) to 1 (very high) in intervals of 0.25. The overall average scientific value of the Kouoptamo geosites is 0.77. Nkoambeng Volcano has the highest scientific value (0.88), followed by Tchoua Maar, Sanka Ndoumkain Maar, Njigoumbé Dome and Ngouen Volcano, all of which score 0.81, while Kechuentim Volcano and Petpenoun Domain score 0.75 and 0.69, respectively. The integrity of several of these geosites is preserved, mainly the Petpenoun lakes, the Tchoua Maar, and the Sanka Ndoumkain Maar. Geosites such as Sanka Ndoumkain Maar, Tchoua Maar, Njigoumbé Dome and the Nkoambeng, Kechuentim, and Ngouen volcanoes are representative of the regional geomorphology. Artisanal quarries (Nkoambeng Volcano) and industrial quarries (Njigoumbé Dome), as well as agro-pastoral activities, tend to degrade these geosites, which in general do not benefit from any legal protection. It is strongly recommended that geoconservation policies be adopted for these geosites, in order to preserve and develop these sites for their considerable geotourism potential while taking into account the current resource and land usage to find an optimum, sustainable strategy.