International Journal of Geoheritage and Parks最新文献

Egypt is one of the oldest nations in the world and one of the “cradles of civilizations.” A variety of 30 heritages within the geodiversity show a great link between intangible and tangible heritages. The Siwa Oasis in Egypt's western desert is a good example to see this relationship which helps to promote geotourism and other initiatives to increase geo-awareness of the region's significance. The Siwa Oasis has rich geodiversity with over 150 remarkable geosites and has great potential in developing into a geopark. 15 representative geosites in this aspiring geopark have been evaluated based on the criteria put forth by Brilha in 2016 and the geosites assessment methodology (GAM) proposed by Vujicic et al. in 2011. The objective of this paper is to analyze and assess these 15 geosites in a comparative analysis for a better understanding of their potential and uniqueness. It also proposes an integrated methodology to highlight the importance of geodiversity, geoconservation, and geotourism when assessing geosites.

Ecotourism, natural resource conservation, and local livelihood are one of the most talked-about issues globally. It is seen as nature-based tourism that addresses two primary attributes: livelihood improvement and biodiversity conservation. The present study does an integrative literature review on ecotourism to comprehend the varied views by pinpointing the gaps for future research. The study accomplishes the research goal in two ways. First, the descriptive analysis of the research is carried out using a categorization framework containing articles published between 2002 and 2021. Second, content analysis is identified as an observational approach to systematically evaluate resources and thematic analysis is used to address the research questions. The findings demonstrate that, despite variations over the years, the overall publication trend in ecotourism is growing. The majority of ecotourism research is conducted in developing nations and the results show that they are still struggling to manage their resources. The review concludes that there exists insufficient evidence base for the actual functioning of ecotourism. Moreover, a few ecotourism studies have considered the importance of good governance, the role of tour guides, and the impact of psychological, technical, and political factors. The issue of climate change and carbon footprints are further addition to it. The study recommends maximizing the potential benefits of biodiversity conservation with the help of a “coexistence model”, i.e., community-based ecotourism (CBET). Further, measuring the carrying capacity of ecotourism sites and providing vocational training to the unskilled local community will enhance the overall efficiency of the ecotourism sector. Lastly, it would be a step ahead to build proper knowledge about the role of eco-tourist and the use of eco-certification for a successful ecotourism business.

The increasing concern for environmental issues and degradation has gained much attention over the past few decades. Tourist destinations and natural areas are vulnerable to human-caused environmental problems such as littering. This study examines the factors that determine and shape environmentally responsible intended behavior, specifically preventing littering of natural park visitors. The present study integrated the Theory of Planned Behavior and the Norm Activation Model. The hypothesis was tested using a survey of 328 individuals who visited Mount Merapi National Park, Indonesia. The structural equation modeling result showed that attitude and perceived behavior control are positively linked to intended behavior. Despite the research's findings, an individual's commitment to environmentally friendly behavior would not be driven by personal subjective norms. By accepting responsibility, one develops personal norms that urge one to be more aware of the consequences of one's actions. Personal norms also significantly impact perceptions of behavioral control, attitude, and subjective norms. The result adds to the body of literature regarding visitors to national parks. Furthermore, this study outlines the power of personal norms on the constructs of the Theory of Planned Behavior (perceived behavioral control, attitude, and subjective norm). There is a discussion of the study's potential real-world applications and its directions for further research.

This paper aims to explain the process of developing creative strategies for empowering community capabilities and local resources in managing geotourism in the Ijen Geopark development area of the Bondowoso region. The location is in the Ijen District as a depiction area for developing the Ijen Geopark. The perspective used in this study is a resource-based view with valuable, rare, imitable, non-substitutable (VRIN) analysis to identify the effectiveness of the performance of local geotourism resources. The results showed that the daily management of geoparks has collaborated with institutions in rural areas in building sustainable competitive advantages to manage geotourism oriented to VRIN criteria in the delineation area of the development of the Ijen Geopark.

This study deals with the contribution of Ehden's region geo-landscape and geo-heritage to make better known the Lebanese landscape and to promote geo-tourism and landscape conservation in Lebanon. It tends to acknowledge the landscape as the core of the unalterable integrated relationships between geology, geomorphology, geography and tourism. The region of Ehden in North Lebanon and its surroundings is characterized by a high geodiversity along with the natural coexistence and closeness of different landscape units and geological features. It sets a great sample as a cross-section of the variety of landscapes that identify the Lebanese territory. Geo-tourism potential of Ehden's area is evidenced based on a first of its time geomorphological study of the landscape presented through this paper. A geo-heritage field assessment was conducted to localize the main geosites using ArcGIS online base-maps. Based on a regional inventory, seven geosites have been selected, assessed and valorized through a rank of most to least geo-touristic potential based on a specific assessment framework. These geosites are identified as the most characteristic and illustrative of the distinguished landscape sectors. For each geosite, one or more landscape perspectives have been detected. The selected geosites are easily perceptible both onsite and further through the extensive scenery within Ehden area and the surroundings. They are well-reserved and maintain a major role within the identity and recognition of the region through both the natural and cultural aspects. The study validates the landscape for the instrument and right tool to interpret geosites and to promote geo-tourism and geo-conservation.

The geodiversity of Brazil is associated with the geological evolution of the South American Platform, the part of the South American Plate that behaved as a stable portion during the formation of the Andean and Caribbean mobile belts, in the Mesozoic and Cenozoic. It reflects a geological history that can be identified in the rocks, sediments, landforms, soils and active processes. As the abiotic component of natural diversity, the knowledge of this geological diversity is important to implement territorial plans and public policies, and this can only be done with adequate communication to society. This paper aims to present the geological bases that generated the geodiversity of Brazil and trace an overview of how geodiversity is being approached in the country in the light of geoconservation and its relationship with biodiversity. On the bases of a survey including bibliographic and media sources, our results are based on four aspects: i) studies on geodiversity - 5 states and 8 local areas with geodiversity indexes maps, and the Geodiversity projet of the Geological Survey of Brazil (CPRM); ii) inventories and other surveys - ongoing or finished geoheritage inventories in 5 states, 4 geological units and 5 national parks, 182 sites in the Brazilian Commission of Geological and Paleobiological Sites (SIGEP)’s list, 461 sites in the geoheritage indicative list of CPRM and 10 sites in the World Heritage list; iii) geoparks - 3 UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) and about 35 geoparks' applicants and projects to the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program, being 2 aspiring and 31 projects in distinct levels of development; iv) geotourism and outreach - initiatives on interpretative panels, dissemination books, virtual products, events and places. The Brazilian flora and fauna are strongly conditioned by the distinct habitats, which in turn compound ecosystems that integrate geodiversity and biodiversity in many protected areas. All this constitutes a variety of both extractable and non-extractable geological resources that may be used in a sustainable way.

The Soutwest (SW) Pacific is an expansive oceanic region with many of its islands difficult to access and relatively unexplored in a geoheritage context. Here we provide a potential framework for systematically assessing geoheritage values of the SW Pacific and creating a holistic and multi-value inventory. We outline the use of digital terrain models as landform classification tools, and other newly available spatial data. While New Zealand is scientifically and culturally recognised as part of the SW Pacific, due to its large landmass and significant scientific data already available, here we excluded it from our analysis. Rather, the aim of our ongoing research is to provide the first comprehensive overview of the geoheritage potential and unique characteristics of small island nations of the SW Pacific. Only those islands were included in this study where geoheritage research has been initiated and include islands reflecting a good spectrum of geodiversity such as Vanuatu (Ambrym, Ambae, Lopevi, Kuwae group, Tanna), Tonga (Tongatapu, Tofua), and Samoa (Savai’i and Upolu). In a geotectonic context the SW Pacific sits on the western extremity of the large Pacific plate, resulting in a broad array of geotectonic situations where convergent plate boundary processes govern the broad geological evolution and geomorphological processes seen on the islands of our study area. Volcanism associated with plate boundaries is one of the most characteristic and recognisable geological processes linked with the region in the public perception of the area. Volcanism is associated with arc-type geosystems forming complex and compound polygenetic volcanism which offers unique geological-geomorphological elements shaping geodiversity of the region. In addition, these volcanic processes have shaped human communities since the earliest days of their establishment. The interaction of Polynesian societies with volcanism provides a unique geocultural perspective based on accumulated oral traditions, forming the basis of cultural practices that remain part of everyday life into the 21st century.

The Danxiashan UNESCO Global Geopark (Danxiashan UGGp) is located in Shaoguan, northern Guangdong Province of South China, and was approved as such by the Global Geoparks Network in 2004. It is an ideal site for geodiversity and geoheritage studies as well as a centre for geoeducation owing to its importance in understanding the geodynamics of South China during late Mesozoic and being the most representative danxia landscape (a red beds landscape characterized by well-developed cliffs and developed dominantly on hard conglomerates and sandstones) in the humid subtropical climate of China. The methods of field investigation and literature reviews were applied to document geodiversity characterization of the Danxiashan. The study area is characterized predominately by well-developed Late Cretaceous red beds deposited in alluvial fan and desert environments within a faulted continental basin. The red beds were uplifted during the Himalayan orogenic cycle (ca. 40 Ma to present) and dissected by faulting and jointing to form prominent escarpments and a variety of erosional landforms in tandem with weathering, water erosion and rockfalls. The danxia landscape of Danxiashan is composed of mesas, peaks, cliffs, canyons, rock walls and pillars with dominant bedrock of reddish conglomerates and sandstones. It is designated as the World Heritage ‘China Danxia’ with other five sites in South China owing to its exceptionally beautiful and distinctive landscape as well as diversified geological features and landforms. As one of the earliest and best developed geoparks in China, an assessment and summary of the geodiversity of Danxiashan sets a practical example in formulating long-term strategies in geotourism and geoeducation for geopark development in China and other countries.

Lefo and Santa-Mbu calderas are located on the Bamenda Mountains. They are two geological structures that accompanied the construction of the Bamenda Mountains. The geological processes that accompanied their collapse gave them a significant number of geological features. These elements, known as geodiversity components, constitute real assets for ecosystem services in these more or less populated volcanic environments. The present work aims to highlight the ecosystem services of these two calderas in relation to the socio-economic activities they govern. To this end, field and laboratory work was carried out. They revealed that the ecosystem services of the two calderas include: (1) regulation services because the calderas are covered in places by forest reserves, notably that of Bali Ngemba and Bafut Ngemba, and by a grassland with trees that play a crucial role in climate regulation. In addition, these areas are subject to natural hazards such as mass movements and volcanic eruptions; (2) supporting services as they provide a base for human activities, a habitat for wildlife species; (3) provisioning services because the calderas have fairly fertile soils that favour a fairly diversified agricultural activity, making the floor of the Lefo caldera a coffee growing area. These calderas are covered by a herbaceous grassland that favours pastoral activity in the region. In addition, the rocks of these calderas are used in construction, especially in the foundations and walls of houses; (4) cultural services as they provide a setting for traditional ritual practices and plants with therapeutic properties. In addition, it has several geomorphosites whose scientific and additional values favour the implementation of geotourism and offer geological features that are indispensable for the understanding and functioning of the Volcanic Line of Cameroon. These calderas are undeniable assets for the balance of the ecosystem.