Geoheritage最新文献

The Tazekka National Park (TNP) harbors significant geological, geomorphological, ecological, and cultural richness that remains undervalued. This study aims to assess, prioritize, and map the geosites within the TNP in the Middle Eastern Atlas, Morocco. The evaluation method used in this work is based on intrinsic values (scientific, ecological, aesthetic, and cultural) and characteristics of use and management, integrating the social dimension. The social dimension was characterized through a set of questionnaires (630 interviews) for various local actors in the park. The evaluation of the studied sites showed that the majority have high scientific value, with 14 geosites exceeding the average scientific value of 0.72. Ecologically, the inclusion of the study area in the National Parks and Protected Areas Act has increased the ecological value of the geosites, with 20 allowing high to very high biodiversity development. Additionally, 28 sites have very high aesthetic value. The social dimension (cultural value) reveals that the 31 geosites evaluated are of very significant cultural value, rooted in the traditions, identity, and legends of the local population and the characteristics of the territory. TNP boasts exceptional geological and geomorphological features, positioning it as a highly sought-after tourist destination. This involves safeguarding geomorphological sites, raising awareness among local stakeholders, and maximizing these assets to drive regional development while conserving this natural heritage. These findings offer crucial insights to aid policymakers in their endeavors to protect and enhance geomorphosites.

Köyceğiz Region offers a fascinating beauty with its lakes, long sandy beaches, rivers, as well as mountains and hills covered with pine, sweetgum and mastic tree forests. Therefore, there is an intense visitor activity in the region. In addition, there are well-marked, year-round hiking and cycling routes around the mountains and lakes in Köyceğiz. On some of these routes, eco-sites have been identified and explanatory panels have been placed. However, geosites have not been identified in the region for the geological structures that carry all this ecological diversity. In fact, the Köyceğiz Region is one of the typical regions that presents geological stories from the paleotectonic and neotectonic periods together. Our proposal in this study is to select geosites on existing nature routes that reflect the geological story of the region and to develop explanatory panels for them. In this study, we have identified geosites located on nature tourism routes in the region and described their geoscientific content. By installing panels on geosites, the geo-ecological systems located on the routes will be able to explain themselves to travelers. This is a new geo-eco-tourism approach with a small budget, aimed at existing visitors in the region, without trying to attract visitors to the area.

Mt. Chilbo, a famous tourist attraction in the DPR Korea is a scenic natural area that has been nominated for Natural World Heritage status. In this paper, we present the volcanic rock landscape features and the natural heritage values of Mt. Chilbo according to World Heritage criteria. Mt. Chilbo has geological evidence of volcanic activity from the Pliocene to the early Quaternary and a beautiful volcanic rock landscape. The volcanic rock landscape of Mt. Chilbo includes volcanic rock peaks and pillars with mysterious shapes, natural stone bridges, stone gates, sea cliff and sea caves, which is characterized by uplift movement and weathering, erosion. The aesthetic and geological values of Mt. Chilbo, which are of global importance, are documented. It is concluded that Mt. Chilbo meets World Heritage criteria (vii) and criteria (viii). Mt. Chilbo is the typical representative of the integrated rock–controlled landform with natural beauty in the volcanic rock–dominated regions and reflects important on-going geological process containing significant geomorphic feature. Mt. Chilbo is compared with other volcanic rock properties in the World Heritage List. Overall, the results of the study revealed that Mt. Chilbo is a valuable geoheritage site of high conservative significance because of its geological and aesthetical value.

Geoheritage and geotourism are the two essential aspects of human appreciation of the Earth's geological resources. Ladakh Himalaya has fascinating and exquisite landforms and landscapes. The area of interest in the present study is located along the Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ), caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates. In the context of diverse geology, structure, topography, tectonic history, and climatic variability, there is an immense diversity of landforms (geodiversity) in the Ladakh region. The region has always attracted tourists/geoscientists from all over the world because of its unique culture, language, religion, geology, and others. Researchers have identified various geoheritage sites, including structural features, lacustrine lake deposits, geothermal hot springs, semi-precious minerals, etc. The protection and preservation of these geoheritage sites in Ladakh Himalaya are essential to promote geotourism and sustainable growth. The proposed sites need to be conserved as needs of the people living in the region. The present study identifies various geosites related to sedimentary (lacustrine deposits), high-grade metamorphic rocks, intrusives rocks and minerals of igneous origin etc. from the northwestern to southeastern Ladakh Himalaya based on their unique geological features and significance. Besides geological aspects, these geosites in Ladakh are habited with diverse flora and fauna which makes it more significant for preservation. A detailed evaluation of these geosites is established based on the extensive field investigation and literature review. The present study involves the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to these geoheritage sites and emphasizes the importance of its recognition and geoconservation. The proposed geosites are facing serious challenges of its destruction due to anthropogenic activities, unsustainable growth of tourism, lack of public awareness, and non-involvement of any governmental agencies for its protection and conservation has put continuous pressure on the sensitive and fragile ecology of geosites in Ladakh and causing environmental and socio-cultural impact.

Management of Natural History collections, particularly paleontological collections, is usually structured around specimens. However, it might not be feasible when the collections are incorporated from sources where the whole cycle of specimen collection is unknown, making it hard to determine what fossils belong to a single specimen and if these specimens belong to a single fossil-assemblage, taxon or individual. The Sociedade de História Natural from Torres Vedras (Portugal) manages such collections using a management strategy approach based on the spatial location from where the fossils were found. To achieve this, we have implemented a methodology for field collection and developed a spatial database in PostgreSQL/PostGIS to manage the entire stages of paleontological collections management. On top of the database, a second layer of web services, Web GIS (Geographical Information System) applications, and desktop GIS, all based on QGIS, are also under development to facilitate access to data stored in the database to internal and external researchers and partners, as well public institutions. This effort is made in close collaboration with in-house actors and stakeholders and has yielded promising results. The development of this system provides four advantages: (i) it played an essential role in supporting the transfer of the collection to new storage facilities; (ii) it provides overviews of the distribution of the characteristics of the collections; (iii) it enhances institutional partnerships by providing consistent and reliable data and(iv) it supports the establishment and development of research lines.

Abstract

Geodiversity is defined as the variety of geological, geomorphological, pedological and hydrogeological phenomena (IUCN 2022). Step wells in India are magnificent groundwater bodies characterized by their greater values of hydrogeological geodiversity. Step wells of Jodhpur situated in the Thar Desert of western India are locally known as Jhalra and Baori which are good practices of ground water harvesting, conservation and management system of medieval period. Furthermore, these are magnificent artefacts showcasing historical-cultural (archeological), Architectural and civil engineering geo-monumental heritage of India. In absence of any methodology and guidelines, the hydrological heritage aspects of step wells are least understood and were not adequately explored for their geoheritage values. The present study explores in light of their potential to characterize and recognize them as hydro-geosites of hydro-geoheritage values to promote hydro-geotourism in India. Thus, based on the proposed methodology, out of 134 inventoried step wells of Jodhpur, eight are selected as hydro-geosites for their characterization to be utilized them for educational and hydro-geotourism purposes. Very less number of qualified hydro-geosites clearly reveals that most of them are in pathetic stage due to their negligence since long time that needs urgent conservation. For their conservation, these hydro-geosites should be protected as an important geoheritage sites similar to National Geological Monument (NGM) and Monument of National Interest (MNI) in India. Further, the self-sustainable economic development through awareness and hydro-geotourism would be the best tools for their conservation, promotion and for socioeconomic developments of the region.

The knowledge of the territory that people inhabit, the awareness of the geological heritage value and its management are aimed both at the benefit of local socio-economic sustainable development goals and at promoting geopark-inclined geotourism through actions which identify potential geosites or enhance those already assessed. The objective of this study is focused on the geoheritage exploration of the Sila massif area, in southern Italy, in order to illustrate the high “geological diversity” like first step for inherent potential geotourism. The Sila landscape exhibits a rich geodiversity to give value, but it is poorly known to the public, although it has been and is the subject of many national and international scientific works. The focus of this work is to enhance the geological, geomorphological and landscape uniqueness of a Sila area, characterized by the presence of a wide range of weathering products and morphologies as a result of geological and geomorphological events and processes, in a variety of temporal and spatial scales, which have an influence on the development and evolution of reliefs and landscape, giving rise to the three geosites: Sila Spheroidal Boulder Field Geosite, Sila Sand Geosite and Sila Paleosols Geosite. These sites of geological interest were subjected to quantitative assessment in terms of the scientific, educational, touristic values and degradation risk of geosites.

Abstract

This article presents a new Urban Geoheritage Assessment Model (UGAM) for the tourism potential of urban geoheritage. The model was applied to the well-known archaeological site Felix Romuliana (Serbia), so as to determine if the site has the potential to become an urban geosite. To support the UGAM model, a mineralogical-petrographical examination of the building stone available to visitors (both on the site and in the Zaječar National Museum) was carried out, and geological outcrops near the site were observed. The obtained results indicate a significant petrographic diversity, with igneous (volcanic subgroup) rocks (hornblende andesite, red porphyry), along with sedimentary rocks (sandstone, lumachella), volcaniclastic rocks (volcaniclastic sandstone) and metamorphic (marbles) rocks. By comparing the obtained results with the local geology, two groups of building stones were recognised: a) stones of local provenience (hornblende andesite, lumachella, sandstone and volcaniclastic sandstone) and b) imported stones (red porphyry and marbles). UGAM parameters, such as educational potential, protection level, visitor safety, and promotional activities, confirmed that Felix Romuliana has great potential for urban geotourism development. However, parameters related to tourist infrastructure, such as the information centre, local accommodations, and restaurant services are minimal, and would need to be upgraded. The results of this study can inform policymakers, local governments and other interested stakeholders whether and how to develop urban geotourism in the future at Felix Romuliana.

Many volcanic landscapes reflect the essence of volcanism and are particularly attractive to different kinds of visitors, featuring the concept of volcanic geoheritage. The expressiveness of volcanic processes is exacerbated in active volcanoes, which increasingly attracts geotourism, despite the natural hazards associated to such geological environment. This work reports how the 2014–2015 eruption of the Fogo volcano at Cabo Verde (West Africa) affected the geoheritage of the central part of the caldera, classified since 2003 as Natural Park, and which caused the destruction of several villages but enabled the occurrence of new geosites. Chã das Caldeiras is the only inhabited area within the perimeter of the park and the unique case of human settlement inside the crater of an active volcano. Besides agriculture, geotourism is an important economic activity for the local communities, and both were devastated after the eruption. However, after the 2014–2015 crisis and despite the eruption risk the local population decided to return to the affected villages and re-start their former life, including geotourism which has since recorded enormous growth. The volcanic geoheritage has dynamic nature that stand out from the majority of stable geosites, with periodic destruction of geosites and corresponding geotouristic infrastructures, and the emergence of new geosites. But despite the costs of rehabilitating, this type of geoheritage must be seen as an economic asset capable of attracting visitors to travel to destinations subject to the risk of eruptions, therefore contributing to foster the typical community-based tourism of normally inhospitable territories.

Abstract

The Riotinto mining railway is a remarkable construction. Stretching an impressive 348 km it was built between 1873 and 1875 to transport minerals from Riotinto’s mining operations to the international port of Huelva. At its height in the 1950’s, this monumental railway network had a fleet of 162 locomotives (mostly steam but also diesel and electric) and around 3,300 freight cars and carriages. Towards the end of the 1960’s the line began to fall into disuse, and it was closed entirely in 1984. Since the establishment of the Rio Tinto Foundation in 1987, dedicated efforts have been made to preserve this invaluable railway heritage and today, the fruits of their labor can be enjoyed at the Riotinto Mining Park where tourists can ride a fully restored 22 km section of this historic rail network. The park is highly successful and has recovered strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic attracting a record 96,935 visitors in 2022. The majority of the park’s tourists are from Spain but also a significant number are international (principally from Germany) highlighting the global importance of this site and the railway as a sustainable heritage tourism destination. Taking the restoration of the Riotinto mining railway as a case study, we aim to demonstrate the transformative power of the preservation and restoration of industrial heritage.